Ambiguous language in a will can be the spark that ignites an estate war.
Beneficiaries don’t always need much of an excuse to argue among themselves after the death of a loved one, but too often, testators give them the pretext they need to…
Ontario’s strict probate rules require a responsible executor
Ontario’s rigorous probate compliance regime makes the selection of an appropriate trustee more crucial than ever. Since 2015, part of an executor’s duty in this province is to file an…
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,…
Little joy in Bob Ross’ estate battle
Anyone who has ever seen The Joy of Painting will understand why Bob Ross remains a cult hero to many. Although the PBS show only ran between 1983 and 1994…
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…
McDonald’s napkin recognized as a valid will
Just because a court can recognize a note written on a fast food restaurant napkin as a valid will doesn’t mean you should make it your estate plan. According to a recent ruling from Saskatchewan, Philip Langanjotted down his wishes at a Yorkton McDonald’s outlet several months before his…
Campaign seeks to boost charitable giving in wills
A national campaign wants to take charitable giving via a will mainstream. Will Power, which is led by the Canadian Association of Gift Planners and supported by at least 500…
Why you may need a ‘Titanic’ clause in your will
Contemplating your own death is hard enough for most people, but spouses drafting wills should consider the possibility they will die together. The chances of an accident or disaster that…
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…
Tech companies update post-death policies
Testators need to get proactive about their digital legacies as tech companies update their rules for what can and can’t be done with accounts after a user’s death. Professional networking…
