Death might be a certainty, but preparing for it sure isn’t, Toronto wills and estates lawyer Matthias Duensing tells The Lawyer’s Daily . “While everyone ... Read more

By Charles Ticker A recent  story  about a matter before the London High Court illustrates some of the estate planning difficulties a blended family may ... Read more

By Timothy N. Sullivan What are the rights and responsibilities of executors? “My cousin wants a car from the estate of our recently-deceased, not-wealthy uncle. ... Read more

By Suzana Popovic-Montag The Ontario Court of Appeal recently considered the issue of the applicable limitation period for claims for compensation on a passing of accounts. ... Read more

Instead of pushing your point of view on a colleague, a preferable approach is to ask questions that prompt   an individual to come to their own conclusion on an ... Read more

Toronto estates and trusts lawyers  Ian Hull  and  Suzana Popovic-Montag will share their methodology for conducting streamlined estate planning meetings at an ... Read more

While the family cottage is generally a place filled with happy memories, the significant sentimental and financial value that some attach to the property may lead to contentious ... Read more

By Ian Hull The common law slayer rule makes the law in Canada clear that committing murder will prevent a person from inheriting the estate of the victim. For clarity, the ... Read more

Although the estate administration tax has some lawyers and their clients focusing on probate fee reduction strategies including the transfer of assets to a joint owner, this can ... Read more

Toronto trusts and estates litigator  Ian Hull will share his insights on the connection between estate matters and family law at a pair of events this April. On ... Read more

By Charles Ticker A recent  story  from London, England is a great example of a will challenge caused by a beneficiary being disinherited. The dispute involves the ... Read more

Although keeping lawyers on board is the preferred route, law firms have to be realistic about the fact that not much can be done to stop individuals who exhibit an ... Read more

There are a number of approaches lawyers and other advisors can take when implementing estate and tax planning strategies for individuals and families — but it is ultimately ... Read more

Although a pair of recent Ontario Court of Appeal decisions address the issue of a court’s jurisdiction and role in matters of probate, the rulings send a mixed message on ... Read more

By Avi Dahary Taking inventory of estate assets In part two of this series, I explored the initial steps one needs to take when they are named an executor in a ... Read more

A recent decision making an estate trustee pay costs resulting from a family squabble over scrapbooks highlights the need to plan for emotional upheaval when making a will, says ... Read more

The use of 'personality' — such as a deceased celebrity’s image — is recognized as an asset that can be gifted under wills, and may be the subject of more court ... Read more

By Suzana Popovic-Montag An estate trustee must ensure that the deceased’s debts have been discharged prior to making any distributions. This is usually done by ... Read more

By Ian Hull What happens if an individual dies  intestate , and upon application for a Certificate of Appointment of Estate Trustee Without a Will, a Not Clear ... Read more

In today’s virtual world, failing to include digital assets in an estate plan comes with certain risks, including the inability of heirs and executors to access online ... Read more