Software Applications as Aids to the Estates Advisor For all of us advisors, there are likely certain types of software applications that we use for our day-to-day tasks: perhaps its Microsoft Outlook for sending emails, or a timekeeping software for recording dockets. And although these programs are leaps and bounds…
This blog was written by Suzanne Singh For several years our company had been “D’s” appointed attorney under her POA. Up until her late-eighties D was independent and occasionally took a bus downtown to drop by our office to invite me for coffee; she would share stories of her youth…
Now that border crossings have opened, many families will be traveling this week for the American Thanksgiving holiday. If you live in a different city than your parents, the time spent together during the holiday can allow you to see how well they are managing. Be aware of the small…
Today’s blog was written by Courtney Lanthier, Law Clerk at Fasken LLP With winter sneaking up on us (rather quickly, I might add) and the travel bans slowly being lifted, we’re bound to get an influx of calls and e-mails from clients wanting to update their estate plans or check…
“Name That Charity” sounds like a failed 1960s game show. Instead, it is an approach to estate planning that paradoxically may discourage charitable giving. This is an observation made by Kathy Hawkesworth of the Edmonton Community Foundation in a recent presentation to the Society of Estate and Trust Practitioner (STEP)….
Determining the bearer of the tax burden on income earned in an individual’s estate is not as simple as one might think. There are some basic taxation rules that apply to an estate which result in either the estate or the beneficiaries becoming ultimately liable for the tax. The tax…
All of us have our share of stories, sadness, struggles and hopefully successes. Last night I was watching one of the Korean series that I have been enjoying and it highlighted the story of a gentleman with dementia who had been abandoned by his family. The scene opens with this…
Imagine you have an interest in a privately held corporation, which corporation’s underlying assets include a valuable art collection. Perhaps on your death you would like the art collection, or certain pieces, to be given to your closest friend, with the remaining assets (represented by the shares in the corporation)…
In a Will challenge proceeding, the Court in Lugarich v. Fabris, 2021 ONSC 7294, considered the interlocutory issue of whether to authorize the estate trustee appointed pursuant to the challenged Will to complete the sale of a residential property, or whether an estate trustee during litigation should be appointed to…
“Which is the deadliest room in the house?” Of course, falls can occur anywhere and at any time, so the best approach is prevention. Accreditation Canada requires organizations that provide home care services to incorporate falls prevention as part of their staff training. Generally, safety proofing the home includes identifying…
