January 2018

Capacity to Contract – The Settlement Edition

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Capable adults are free to enter into a contract with one another. Once entered into, the contract is binding on the parties (exceptions apply) and they may ask the court for assistance enforcing the terms of the contract. Different rules apply to contracts entered into by minors (in Ontario, the Age of Majority and Accountability Act defines a “minor” is anyone under the age of 18). Subject to a few….

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Contracts, Disability, Estate Litigation

Estate income entitlement

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With the filing deadline for trust tax returns fast approaching, it is a good idea to take a look at some recent tax news which may be of some interest to executors. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) was recently asked their view on whether a beneficiary of an estate has the right to income of an estate after the estate has passed the end of the “executor’s year” such that….

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Canada Revenue Agency, Estate Administration, Estate Planning, Executors, Tax Issues, Wills

Death and TOSI

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In my previous blog I looked at the revised rules for the tax on split income, or “TOSI”, that were released on December 13, 2017. In that blog I noted there are special rules that apply in respect of income and gains on property that is acquired as a consequence of death. This blog focuses on those provisions. If income or gains from property are “split income”[1] the TOSI applies….

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Uncategorized

Capacity Evaluation of an Expressed Choice

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In law, expressed choices are not necessarily a reflection of capable decision making. For example, regarding testamentary capacity, the Ontario Court of Appeal in Hall v. Bennett Estate (2003)[i] stated in paragraphs 15 and 16 that it is not sufficient simply to show that a testator had the capacity to communicate his or her testamentary wishes. Those wishes must be shown to be the product of a sound and disposing….

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Capacity Law, Elder Care, Elder Law, Family Conflict, Guardianship, Powers Of Attorney and Guardianship Disputes, Spouse

Post-Death Decline in the Value of RRSP or RRIF: What Happens?

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Generally, when an annuitant of a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (“RRSP”) or a Registered Retirement Income Fund (“RRIF”) dies, the Canada Revenue Agency (“CRA”)  will consider that the annuitant received, immediately before death, an amount equal to the fair market value (“FMV”) of the property held in the RRSP or RRIF at the time of death. This amount and all other amounts the annuitant received from the RRSP or RRIF….

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Canada Revenue Agency, Estate Administration, Tax Issues, Uncategorized

January is Alzheimers’ Awareness Month

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Let’s take a moment to consider one of the biggest health crises that we will be facing over the next several years. A health diagnosis that not only robs people of their memories but a health crisis that can destroy families. Without planning, I fear it may also bankrupt our health care system. Alzheimers disease is the most common form of dementia and is only one of many diseases that….

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Caregiving, Elder Care
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