Families fight. Celebrities are no different. If anything, it is always interesting to read how the ultra-wealthy handle their estate planning and what issues arise on their deaths (particularly as there is usually a string of ex-spouses and multiple children involved). In today’s blog, I discuss some of the legal…
People readily post about their lives on social media, including where they travel to or where they eat (sometimes on a daily basis). Celebrities, for example, use social media platforms (such as Instagram and Twitter) to connect with their fans and keep them posted of the fabulous lives of the…
Spring is (kind of) here and summer is (hopefully) around the corner. Like every year, Torontonians will no doubt soon make their way to the Toronto Islands during the summer weekends. A group of 15 islands interconnected by pathways and bridges in Lake Ontario, the Islands are approximately 15 minutes…
The past few months have been quite dramatic for estate lawyers; both on the drafting and litigation end. As many of our readers know, Justice Dunphy stirred the pot in the estate world with his decision in Milne Estate (Re). To recap, in the Milne decision, a husband and wife…
Estate trustees must be ready at all times to account for their management and administration of an estate. There is no statutory requirement for an estate trustee to formally pass his or her accounts. However, the court may order an estate trustee to do so. As part of the estate…
There are many reasons why a person may wish to have someone else assist with the management of their finances or personal care decisions. One reason could be because he/she will be away from home for a period of time and needs someone to look after their financial affairs while…
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,…
I previously blogged about the importance of making a will to ensure that your testamentary wishes are carried through. Eissmann v Kuntz is a recent Ontario Superior Court of Justice decision illustrating the unintended consequences of improper estate planning. Background Siegfried Kunz was born in Germany in 1937. He married…
It is imperative to make a will. Too often lawyers come across files where an individual dies without a will (i.e. “intestate”), leaving behind a messy estate to be wrapped up and distributed. People often wonder who inherits an intestate person’s estate. When a person dies intestate in Ontario, the…
Johnny Hallyday, referred to as the “French Elvis”, leaves behind a string of ex-wives and disappointed beneficiaries. His recent death has resulted in litigation over his multi-million dollar estate, with the central issue being whether French or California law governs the distribution of his estate. It is not uncommon for…