Altering your will without sparking a legal fight
The first draft of your will is rarely your last one, and nor should it be. With the passage of time, not only will you change, but the people around…
Disinheritance easier in Ontario, but not always advisable
Disinheriting your adult children is harder than it looks…at least if you live in British Columbia. In a recent ruling, a Supreme Court of B.C. judge granted a man’s estranged…
Sibling executors revive old rivalries
There’s nothing like the death of a parent to connect adults with their inner child. While some siblings come closer together in their shared grief, I find that that they’re…
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. …
