Over-55s lagging on estate plans
There’s no need to wait until retirement to get a will in place. According to a new poll by Angus Reid, 50 per cent of adult Canadians do not have…
Succession planning a must for lawyers
Lawyers need to practice what they preach and implement a succession plan that kicks in when they are no longer willing or able to continue in the profession. Sole and…
Lottery ticket, gambling addiction. Free public domain CC0 photo.
Deceased woman’s $3-milion lottery win sparks estate fight
When Frances Lloyd checked her lottery numbers the morning after a June 2021 Lotto 6/49 draw, the Vancouver Islander couldn’t believe what she saw. Lloyd had matched all 6 numbers,…
Sibling executors jailed for contempt
Sibling rivalries are a bit like a dormant volcano: even when they look calm, they never really stop bubbling under the surface, before erupting into view, apparently at random. The…
Making sure your cryptocurrency assets outlive you
If you want your crypto-assets to outlast you, then you need to include them in your estate plan. One of the biggest attractions for holders of cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin…
Olympic snowboarder’s child conceived after his death
Reproductive technology is moving at a much faster pace than the laws governing its use. CNN recently reported on the story of an Australian woman who gave birth to a…
B.C. leads the way on fully electronic wills
B.C. is taking a step into the unknown with new legislation that allows testators to draft and execute fully electronic wills. Bill 21, which took effect in December, makes the…
Separated spouses treated more like divorced spouses under new estates laws
Updating your will is not always the first thing on your mind when your marriage is splitting up. Luckily, new changes to the Succession Law Reform Act will take care…
Avoid common-law surprises when planning your estate
Defining your romantic relationship is not just important for the people involved, but for your will too. A recent decision by Ontario’s Court of Appeal appeared to expand the definition of…
