All About Estates

Month: September 2018

Total 16 Posts

Cultural Property Tangle: Export v. Donation

How can an export permit affect charitable giving? Quite easily if you are dealing with a foreign art work deemed “cultural property” under Canada’s Cultural Property Export and Import Act (CPEIA). A June 12 Federal Court of Canada decision on the export of French impressionist painting has reportedly frozen donations…

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Where’s There is a Will (and a Clear One), There is a Way!

In Campbell v Evert 2018 ONSC 593, the deceased had, in the decade prior to her passing, transferred to Mr. Evert (one of the “kids”) the family cottage valued at $145,000. In her will later that year,  she made a specific bequest of $145,000 to Ms. Campbell, the other “kid’,…

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Celebrating New Beginnings

Last Monday was Labour Day which signifies back to school and end of summer. It is a time of new beginnings, setting goals and starting new projects. Today is the first day of the Jewish New Year, another fresh start for those who celebrate. For many who may not attend…

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“Duelling” Designations

I was reminded this week of the need for advisors to consider more than division of property, support, and custody and access arrangements in the context of marriage breakdown. Taxation issues related to family residences which could qualify as a principal residence need also be considered.  One of the requirements…

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You Better Think – Who will be your Estate Trustee?

Aretha Franklin, queen of soul, passed away on August 16, 2018 in Michigan, United States.  She leaves behind unforgettable songs, a vast estate, and no will.  It never ceases to surprise me when I hear about a celebrity dying without a will (i.e. intestate).  Sure, celebrities are people too.  But,…

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Tax implications of losses incurred in a fraudulent investment scheme

All to often it is the elderly and disadvantaged who are taken advantage of in fraudulent investment schemes. The Canada Revenue Agency recently released some general information that applies to taxpayers who participated in what reasonably appeared to be a legitimate investment for income tax purposes. Generally speaking, an amount…

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