May 2019

The Test for Capacity to Give Evidence and Special Accommodations

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Section 16 of the Canada Evidence Act (“CEA”)[i] sets out the test for capacity to give evidence: 16(1) If a proposed witness is a person of fourteen years of age or older whose mental capacity is challenged, the court shall, before permitting the person to give evidence, conduct an inquiry to determine: Whether the person understands the nature of an oath or a solemn affirmation; and Whether the person is….

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Capacity Law

Strategies for Distributions for Young Beneficiaries

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This Blog was written by: Daniel Watts, Estate and Trust Consultant, Scotiatrust I wrote in a previous post about determining an appropriate age for a beneficiary to receive an inheritance (Choosing an Appropriate Age for Young Beneficiaries to Inherit, February 7, 2019). Below, we take that idea a bit further by considering additional approaches rather than a simple, single distribution of all the funds when a beneficiary attains a certain….

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Estate Planning, Trustee, Trusts, Uncategorized, Wills

Incapable People and Limitation Periods

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When does the limitation period start running regarding an incapable person who does not have a formal litigation guardian? Despite the language of the Limitations Act, 2002, a court found in Rekowski v. Renfrew (County), 2019 ONSC 2852 that the answer to this question is not clear. In 2009, Kenneth was injured in a car accident, suffering a catastrophic brain injury. The driver of the other car sued Kenneth in 2011….

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Capacity Law, Power of Attorney

Saturday Evening’s Viewing Pleasure

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Like many of you I was watching Saturday’s  victory by our Toronto Raptors.  It is therefore completely understandable that you would not have known that the 15th episode of FinanceIsPersonal aired that same evening. Elizabeth Naumovski, CM interviews Canadian women who have important messages to share as it relates to financial issues, including financial planning, debt, estate planning and  eldercare.  I was Liz’ guest and I address many of the….

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Caregiving, Elder Care

When is “old enough”? Choosing an age for estate distributions

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I often meet with clients who wish to have Wills prepared which provide for trusts for their children. After explaining the nature of a testamentary trust to the clients, I typically recommend that they select a set age that the child is to receive the capital (or the remainder thereof) of his or her trust, with perhaps additional set ages for partial distributions.[1] In the vast majority of these meetings,….

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Trusts, Wills

You Better Think (Think)…About the Estate Planning Process

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This blog was written by Lara Besharat In August 2018, renowned singer Aretha Franklin died of pancreatic cancer in her home in Detroit, leaving behind an illustrious musical legacy, a strong history of civil rights activism, four children, and an estimated $80-million-dollar fortune. One thing she didn’t leave behind, however, was a will. Or so we thought. For months, it was believed that the Queen of Soul died intestate, going….

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Contested wills, Estate Administration, Estate Litigation, Family Conflict, In the News, Wills
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