All About Estates

Month: October 2020

Total 17 Posts

Embracing the COVID-19 Ready Executor

This Blog was written by Edward Ngo, Estate and Trust Advisor  with MD Private Trust, Scotia Wealth Management In Vancouver, the virtual estate planning landscape is changing before our eyes since British Columbia declared a state of emergency on March 18, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The early contentious…

Continue Reading

Spousal Election – The Right of the Survivor

In Ontario, the Family Law Act (“FLA”) regulates the division of property and the availability of spousal support on separation or death.

Continue Reading

Look Out: The New Trust Reporting Rules Are Almost Here

As we head in to the Fall of 2020, we are quickly approaching the new trust reporting requirements. The new trust reporting rules come into effect with taxation years ending after Dec. 30, 2021. As a reminder to administrators, if a trust continues to be in place past Dec. 31,…

Continue Reading

There is no place like home……

Survey says: “91 per cent of Canadians of all ages and almost 100 per cent of Canadians 65 years of age and older reported that they plan on supporting themselves to live safely and independently in their own home as long as possible.” (Pandemic Perspectives on Ageing in Canada in…

Continue Reading

Marriage Contracts; The Importance Of Their Review In Estate Planning And “Consenting” Out Of Living Separate And Apart

In the context of estate planning, I constantly am reminded of the need for a proficiency in family law.  Here’s one reason why. One of the key questions we ask clients is, “Do you have a marriage contract?” The role of a drafting lawyer isn’t, in my view, to simply…

Continue Reading

Loosening Standards for Charitable Property

A crisis may change long-held views.  In reaction to the devastating economic effect of COVID-19 a couple of regulators have loosened their rules related to two different types of charitable property.  Will these changes be temporary or will they lead to long-term change?  And what effect does it have on…

Continue Reading

COVID-19 update: Government Works to Fix Potential Limitation Period Problem

In order to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, the government suspended limitation periods and other statutory deadlines between March and September. However, due to concerns about the manner in which the suspension was lifted, the government is currently seeking a declaration that the limitation period was, in fact, validly suspended…

Continue Reading

The First of the Firsts

Everything is different since Covid began and the activities we used to take for granted are now being sorely missed. Family celebrations are so important and there were many that could not be celebrated together. This past Thanksgiving’s meal, for example, was enjoyed as a take out dinner instead of…

Continue Reading

Probate Points to Remember – A.K.A. Names and More

As I have prepared applications for certificates of appointment of estate trustee (“Probate Applications”) over the years, I have kept a list that I call “Probate Points to Remember”.  The purpose of this list is to remind me of how I have handled certain practical matters on Probate Applications.  In…

Continue Reading

Personality Rights…From Beyond the Grave!

Who owns the rights to a celebrity’s image after death? Do these rights pass automatically to the celebrity’s estate? How are these rights protected?

Continue Reading