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As a premier law firm with over 950 lawyers worldwide, Fasken is where excellence meets expertise. We are dedicated to shaping the future our clients want, precisely when it matters most. For more information, visit fasken.com.

Hidden Risks of a Do-It-Yourself Codicil: Schickedanz v. Schickedanz

This blog was co-authored by Latoya Brown, Associate and Elyse Mitchell, Student-at-Law at Fasken LLP Holograph wills and codicils are often viewed as a simple and inexpensive way to record testamentary wishes. In Ontario, a holograph will or codicil is valid if it is entirely in the testator’s handwriting and signed by the testator. That simplicity often makes holograph documents attractive. The recent Ontario Court of Appeal decision, Schickedanz v. Schickedanz,….

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Estate Administration, Estate Litigation, Family Conflict, Farm, Undue influence

The Substance Rule: Lang-Newlands v Newlands

This blog has been written by Darren Lund, Partner at Fasken LLP I previously blogged about the trial level decision Newlands: A New Interpretation of Estate Freezes in the Family Courts? and a subsequent motion Newlands Revisited: Moving to the Appeal in Lang-Newlands v. Newlands, a family law case that dealt extensively with equalization claims in the context of intergenerational wealth planning involving multiple estate freeze transactions. The Ontario Court of Appeal….

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Family Conflict, Separation, Succession Planning, Trusts, Uncategorized

That Foreign Property Question

Today’s Blog was written by Rahul Sharma, Partner, Fasken LLP, Toronto Many Canadians today have or are thinking of acquiring some form of foreign real estate.  For some, the property was inherited from parents or left behind in the “old country” following a relocation to Canada.  For others, the property is a vacation home or pied-à-terre in another place. A villa in France or a place on the beach in the….

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Estate Planning, Property, Real Estate, Tax Issues, Wills

Equal or Equitable? A Conversation Every Estate Planner Should Have

This blog has been written by Pritika Deepak, Associate at Fasken LLP. One of the most common instructions estate planners hear from clients is: “I want to treat all of my children equally.” While that may sound straightforward, it often warrants a deeper discussion. In estate planning, equal and equitable are not the same thing, and they can produce very different outcomes. A planner who fails to explore this distinction….

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Estate Planning, Wills

Choosing the Right Estate Trustee: When Poor Administration Comes at a Cost

This blog post was written by Mohena Singh, Associate at Fasken LLP. A recent Ontario Superior Court decision, Flowers v. Flowers, 2026 ONSC 3524, serves as a reminder that one of the most important decisions in any estate plan is the selection of an estate trustee. While many testators instinctively appoint a trusted child or family member, the role carries significant legal responsibilities. When those responsibilities are ignored, the consequences….

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Estate Administration, Executors, Passing Of Trustees’ and Executors’ Accounts, Trustee Compensation

Planning for the Long Game: What Happens When Your Executor Becomes Incapable?

This blog has been written by Karen La Caprara, Counsel, at Fasken LLP When contemplating estate planning, it can be easy to focus on a single moment: death. But estate administration does not occur in a moment. It often unfolds over many months, or years, particularly where there is a continuing trust, significant tax work, or illiquid assets. This raises a question that testators can easily overlook at the planning….

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Estate Administration, Estate Planning, Executors, Wills
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