Wills & Estates Blog

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Litigation over lost will depletes ‘very modest’ estate

If you think losing your keys is frustrating, spare a thought for the children of an Ontario woman who are still fighting over their mother’s missing will, years after her death.   Having gone to the trouble of drafting her will, the woman at the heart of the case probably thought she

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Bank forms fail to eliminate joint account confusion

Bank forms fail to eliminate joint account confusion   By Lisa Laredo, principal at Laredo Law.  Joint bank accounts between parents and their children are often a recipe for estate litigation.   When it comes to estate planning, there are good reasons for owning property jointly with a beneficiary, since it can be

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POA must reimburse estate for $320k in unauthorized withdrawals

For those acting under a power of attorney for property, one duty stands above all others: the fiduciary duty.   Attorneys for property are granted extraordinary power under Ontario’s Substitute Decisions Act. In addition to the grantor’s home and its contents, a POA appointee is also handed control of their financial income and outgoings,

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Court validates notebook entry as a will

Can a notebook entry be considered a will?   In Ontario, the answer is “yes,” as a recent decision demonstrates. But it’s not an example you should follow if you want to keep your own estate out of the courts after you’re gone.   A close friend and neighbour of the deceased

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Continuity plans a must for small and solo businesses

If there’s one disruption sure to give small business owners nightmares, it’s the death of the proprietor.   But it’s a prospect that they need to consider if they intend to properly serve their customers and the broader public.  Advisor magazine recently reported on an email from the Ontario Securities Commission to chief

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