This blog was written by Jessica J. Butler, Law Clerk at Fasken LLP A recent British Columbia decision[1] has revisited a deceptively simple question in estate law: what does it mean to be a “child” of a deceased person?[2] The case involved a claim brought by a woman against the…
This blog post was written by: Ophely Karam, Estate and Trust Consultant, Scotiatrust Montreal There are many ways to complicate your loved ones’ lives after your death. Dying intestate in Québec when you have minor children is one of the most efficient. From the outside, legal devolution under the…
On October 20, 2025, a single judge of the Court of Appeal for Ontario made an Order requiring an appellant to post security for costs of her appeal in the amount of $50,000. On March 5, 2026, the appellant brought a motion under s.7(5) of the Court of Justice Act, asking a panel of…
Successful entrepreneurs often view the family business as the crown jewel to their legacy for the next generation(s). As such, succession planning for the family business and preserving the family’s wealth is always a top priority and often encompasses tax and estate planning. Implementing a succession plan that will ensure…
Taking on the role of an estate trustee can be a difficult one. The tasks typically involve gathering in and managing assets, determining liabilities, and moving the administration of an estate forward until it is time to distribute the net assets to the beneficiaries. While there is a general principle…
Few Canadians have forgotten the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on residents and staff in the long-term care sector. With our aging population, significant pressures continue to mount on an already stressed system, where staffing shortages and outdated facilities persist, along with rising numbers of people requiring more complex…
This blog has been written by Frédéric Barriault, Counsel, and Yoni Feingold, Partner, at Fasken LLP In Quebec’s civil law tradition, the liquidator occupies a central institutional role in the administration and litigation of successions. The legal framework governing this role draws principally from two sets of rules: the regime…
A recent decision of the British Columbia Court of Appeal in Lewis v. Jack, 2026 BCCA 18, provides helpful guidance on will interpretation. The case focused on whether the testator’s gifts to his children vested at the time of his death or later, when the residue of the estate was…
Section 6 of the Ontario Substitute Decisions Act (SDA) sets out: “A person is incapable of managing property if the person is not able to understand information that is relevant to making a decision in the management of his or her property, or is not able to appreciate the reasonably…
Back in 2019, I wrote a blog about estate planning for younger adults and the importance of addressing this often-overlooked issue. Today, I thought I would revisit and update this topic. Young adults often assume that estate planning is only relevant for older adults or wealthy individuals. When I was…