Testators should maintain a list of their digital assets and passwords to ease the worries of their surviving relatives, says Toronto wills and estates lawyer Lisa Laredo. Laredo, principal of Laredo Law, says digital assets — including social media profiles, email accounts, loyalty points, and online banking — have become just as important to many [...]
November is the Ontario Bar Association’s (OBA) Make-a-Will Month, and Toronto wills and estates lawyer Lisa Laredo says there’s no better time to act for those without an estate plan, no matter their age. Laredo, principal of Laredo Law, says people can take control of the way their assets will be distributed after death [...]
It’s important to understand who will have rights to the matrimonial home following the death of a spouse when drafting your will, says Toronto wills and estates lawyer Lisa Laredo. Section 18 (1) of the Family Law Act (FLA) defines the matrimonial home as, “Every property in which a person has an interest and that [...]
An insurance trust is a good mechanism for controlling the use and timing of life insurance proceeds following the death of the insured, Toronto wills and estates lawyer Lisa Laredo tells AdvocateDaily.com. Establishing an insurance trust in your will directs life insurance proceeds to be paid to a trustee who then receives and administers the [...]
A booming real estate market last year caused an uptick in offers with no conditions, a phenomenon which can harm buyers, writes Toronto real estate lawyer Lisa Laredo in The Lawyer’s Daily. Last spring, “the market was so hot that vendors were able to sell most properties within a day or two; many above the [...]
Testators should seek professional advice before leaving gifts to charity, Toronto wills and estates lawyer Lisa Laredo tells AdvocateDaily.com. “Before you do anything, I would recommend consulting a good accountant who understands tax and estate planning, and also to make sure you have a lawyer who can help you carry out your plan,” says Laredo, [...]
Although the Ontario new home warranties plan has been in effect for more than 40 years, it has given rise to persistent complaints of an appearance of conflict of interest — and the government now plans to split its two functions, Toronto real estate lawyer Lisa Laredowrites in The Lawyer’s Daily. Currently, as set out [...]
With an aging population, it’s important to get your legal documents in order — and the earlier, the better, says Toronto wills and estates lawyer Lisa Laredo. For the first time in history, statistics show that seniors comprise a bigger share of Canada’s population than children, she tells AdvocateDaily.com. “If you lose mental capacity, you [...]
The Ontario government's recently announced policy changes won’t have a significant impact on the real estate market. Non-resident speculation tax The government’s 15 per cent tax on the purchase price of all property in the Greater Toronto Area by non-residents of Canada is intended to curb the influx of foreign money into the market, which [...]
Buying commercial real estate differs significantly from personal property purchases, so it’svital that entrepreneurs seek legal advice early, Toronto real estate lawyer Lisa Laredo tells AdvocateDaily.com. “There are a number of advantages to buying your own commercial property,” says Laredo, principal of Laredo Law. “But make sure you’re working with a team of people who [...]
