All About Estates

Month: March 2019

Total 18 Posts

To Spring, or Not to Spring!

Today’s blog is being brought to you by guest blogger, Tracy Parkinson, a law clerk in the Private Client Services group of Fasken LLP. Recently I have noticed that many meeting agendas for group discussions of estates practitioners that I have attended have included some aspect of the challenges, use…

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Why Sound Estate Planning is more than Asset Distribution

This blog was written by Justin Ecclestone, Associate Estate and Trust Consultant with Scotia Wealth Management   Coy Luther Perry “Luke Perry” died on March 4, 2019 at the age of 52. Luke Perry was a renowned Hollywood actor, widely known for his roles in Beverly Hills 90210, The Fifth…

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Disability Tax credits and Bankruptcy

In general, unpaid and to be paid disability tax credits can form part of a bankrupt’s estate in the form of property and income. If they are “property of the bankrupt” within the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act, (the “BIA”), then they are 100% distributable amongst estate creditors in accordance with…

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The 3 C’s: Helping You To Make A Decision

Have you noticed that many of us may only pay attention to something when it piques our interest OR when we are dealing with the specific topic it is addressing.  I have noticed this is the case for many when dealing with elder care concerns;  and at the time that…

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Could a “non-human person” ever be a beneficiary of a will?

Today’s blog comes to you from Student-at-Law, Demetre Vasilounis. In 2013, the Government of India’s Ministry of Environment and Forests ignited a discussion in the international legal community by deciding to prohibit dolphinariums as well as any enterprise that involves the import or capture of cetacean species (dolphins, whales, porpoises) for the…

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Will we ever leave Neverland alone?

This blog was written by Aathiya Bala, Associate Estate and Trust Consultant with Scotia Wealth Management “Leaving Neverland” is HBO’s newest documentary that premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 25th, 2019. In this documentary, two men, Wade Robson and James Safechuck allege they experienced years of sexual abuse…

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When There Is No Family Caregiver

The family caregiver plays a key role in supporting the very fabric of Canadian society. The most recent Census data tells us that 28% of all Canadians provide unpaid care to a family member or friend. If you are reading this article, chances are you are or know someone close…

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Mind the Gap! And Put On Your Parens Patriae

Ontario’s “new” parentage rules, contained primarily in the Children’s Law Reform Act (“CLRA”) and implemented through the All Families Are Equal Act, have been in force for more than two years, having become effective on January 1, 2017. There have now been several reported decisions that interpret and apply the…

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Annulled Charities

Annulment is one of those antiquated words the whispers “convenience” and “pragmatism”.  Failed or incomplete marriage?  Divorce not an option? A Church-granted annulment will set both partners free.  Annulment is also a term in the Income Tax Act that applies to registered charities and registered amateur athletic associations. It’s rarely used, and…

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Passing of Accounts –Made to Measure (Law)Suits

A passing of accounts is the process whereby an estate trustee (or other fiduciary) provides the beneficiaries with a summary of all estate assets, liabilities, and transactions, in a given period. A passing of accounts can be done informally or through a court application. It provides transparency to the beneficiaries…

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