April 2021

Foundation Disbursement Quota Increase

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  The 2021 Federal Budget announced the Government’s intentions to launch a consultation with charities about “potentially increasing the disbursement quota…beginning in 2022.”   Any increase of the disbursement quota (DQ) rate above the current 3.5% annual requirement will have significant implications for the charitable sector, foundations and donors.  Below is a longer than usual analysis of what it means and what to expect. Budget Announcement The Budget announcement is curiously….

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Philanthropy/Charitable Giving, Uncategorized

COVID-19 Update: Court Hearings To Be Deferred

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I previously blogged about Chief Justice Morawetz’s December 29, 2020 Notice to the Profession that that all non-jury matters shall proceed virtually unless it is absolutely necessary for the matter to be conducted in person. Chief Justice Morawetz now has put forward a new Notice to the Profession dated April 20, 2021. Due to the worsening COVID-19 situation, in order to reduce the number of court staff, counsel or parties….

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Courts, Estate Litigation

Alternatives to Long Term Care

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With the reputation of Long Term Care Homes hitting a new low, it comes as no surprise that seniors want to grow older in their own homes. A few facts: The number of seniors increased by 4.2 million over the past 38 years. Over the next 22 years Canada will need to accommodate the needs of another 4.2 million, of whom 82 percent will be 75 years of age and….

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Elder Care

Reflections before the Budget

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On April 19th, the federal government will table its first budget in two years. This budget comes in the middle of Canada’s third wave of COVID-19 and is set to address the pandemic’s resulting economic challenges. Practitioners can likely expect, if they are not receiving them already, calls from clients eager to update their estate plans in anticipation of the budget. I am not going to add my voice to….

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Uncategorized

Can a McDonald’s Paper Napkin be a Valid Will?

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We know that a suicide note can constitute a valid will in British Columbia, and possibly in Ontario. However, can a will written on a paper napkin from a McDonald’s restaurant be a valid will in Saskatchewan? This was interesting issue was addressed in Gust v. Langan. The Facts Six months before he passed, testator Philip Langan was dining at a McDonald’s restaurant in May or June of 2015 when….

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Estate Planning, Family Conflict, Interest

Inheritance and Tax

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There is renewed discussion on whether Canada will become another jurisdiction where specific gift or estate taxes will be imposed on inheritances. There is speculation that the discussion will lead to something concrete as early as next week’s Federal Budget. In the meantime, there are situations where inheritances can come with a tax burden, such as the one described in a recent Tax Court of Canada case (Goldman v. the….

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Attorney Compensation, Canada Revenue Agency, Compensation, Costs, Courts, Estate Administration, Estate Administration and Probate Applications, Estate Litigation, Executors, Investments, Liability, Tax Issues, Trustee, Trustee Compensation, Trusts, Uncategorized
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