Handwritten will declared invalid by Ontario judge
Just because the law allows for a testator to hand-write their own will does not make it a good idea, as a recent court decision shows. Like laws in other…
Document gifts to kids or risk estate litigation
It’s sometimes hard to tell who is happier when generous parents present a large gift to their grateful child. But the mutual joy could be short lived if the transaction…
Who is a spouse? Not always who you might think
Determining who is a testator’s spouse is not as straightforward as it might seem at first glance. In a recent B.C. case, a Chinese woman failed in an attempt to…
Unwitnessed will validated by Court of Appeal
Can I get a witness? A recent Alberta decision shows you might not always need one for your will to be valid, but that doesn’t mean you should forget about…
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Where to store your will
Once you’ve taken the trouble of drafting a will, make sure you keep it safe. In my opinion, the best place for the original copy is with your lawyer, and…
DIY will ends up in court
We all like to save money here and there, but a do-it-yourself will is one low-cost option that hardly ever pays off in the long run. Will kits have long…
Judicial disagreement calls for extra detail in wills
A recent judicial disagreement over beneficiary designations makes the case for extra detail and clarity in a will. Earlier last year, in a case known as Mak (Estate) v. Mak,…
Know your rights with online obituary sites
Online obituaries are turning into a bit of a minefield for the families of recently deceased loved ones.CBC News recently reported on the family of John Rothwell and their run-in…
In-person or online will-making? You decide!
It’s always great to have options, and recent developments have given our clients fresh choices when it comes to how they draw up their estate plans. One of the better…
November is Make a Will Month
If you’re among the 51 per cent of Canadians without a will, then Make a Will Month is a great time to join the other 49. Let’s face it: nobody…