Green funeral options on the rise
Eco-conscious testators who want to take advantage of some of the techniques favoured by the developing green burial sector should include their funeral wishes as part of their estate plan. …
Account for reproductive material when drafting a will
Stored genetic material is as close as most of us will get to a priceless asset, so it’s critical you account for it in your will. Whether they’re in committed…
When two wills are better than one
Two wills are sometimes better than one. Since the late 1990s, testators in Ontario have been able to divide their property between two wills: one for assets that require probate,…
Who to tell when you leave money to a charity
You don’t have to shout about your charitable giving from the rooftops to let your favourite non-profit know about an estate donation. Considering the number of hospital wings and university…
Marriage no longer revokes a will in Ontario
Marriage may no longer revoke a will, but it’s still a great time to revisit your estate plan. For a long time, Ontario has lagged behind much of the rest…
Accounting for minor children in your will
The birth of a child means big changes for a parent’s life, and it also means big changes for their will. I always say that landmark life moments are a…
Preferential share rises from $200,000 to $350,000
Surviving spouses whose partners die intestate are now entitled to the first $350,000 of the estate after the provincial government boosted the amount in its latest round of legal updates. …
Take control of end-of-life care with a ‘living will’
Most people have felt their mortality a little more keenly than usual in the last year of pandemic living, and I’m sure many of us have wondered what would happen…
Clear wording can stop a will challenge
Clarity is critical when it comes to drafting a will. Beneficiaries don’t always agree on what particular words or phrases in a will mean – Ontario’s Superior Court hears will challenge…
The Perils of Do-It-Yourself Wills
Have you ever thought about using an online service to write a will instead of hiring a lawyer to draft one for you? After all, dozens of websites offer to…
