Estate law changes on the way
Big changes could be on the way for Ontario’s estate laws if the provincial government gets its way. The Ford administration recently introduced Bill 245 the Accelerating Access to Justice Act at Queen’s Park.
Small estate changes a small step in the right direction
Probate just got a little easier for some small estates. The provincial government recently announced that it would raise the limit for those considered “small estates” from $50,000 to $150,000. "Right now,…
Improving reverse mortgage products a good option for seniors
Reverse mortgages are growing in popularity as the quality of the products available improves. Better Dwelling, a news outlet covering the housing market, reports that reverse mortgage debt has spiked in…
MLS misrepresentation can be costly
Think carefully about what goes in your MLS listing, because you could be held to it. The real estate listing is up there with the Agreement of Purchase and Sale in terms of importance, and buyers are entitled to rely on its contents.
Take care when buying in a sellers’ market
Property hunters need to take a breath before committing to risky offers as the Toronto real estate market heats up again.After a brief slowdown in the early months of the…
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The differences between a deposit and down payment
When buying a home, the standard real estate contract will always require a deposit. The contract may then go on to provide for a further payment of cash, which, together…
Lawyer review critical for newbuild condos deals
Take advantage of the cooling off period to avoid getting burned on a newbuild condo deal. Brand new condo purchases hold a unique status in Ontario’s real estate world, carrying…
Estate planning: Don’t wait until it’s too late
There’s no better time than the present to get your estate in order.I’ve heard every excuse in the book from procrastinators who say they’re too young, too old, too poor…
Eliminate joint-account confusion to avoid estate litigation
Parents could be sowing the seeds of a future estate battle when they set up a joint bank account with a child. There are good estate planning reasons for owning property jointly with a beneficiary – it can be an effective way to transfer funds while avoiding the 1.5 per-cent probate tax otherwise payable on assets in a person’s estate.
Take care when selecting an executor
Administering an estate is no cakewalk, so make sure your choice for executor knows what they’re getting themselves into ahead of time. There is no doubt that the responsibility associated with…