All About Estates

Rebecca Studin

Total 32 Posts Website
Rebecca Studin was called to the Bar in 2009. Before joining de VRIES LITIGATION LLP, Rebecca practised estates and commercial litigation at a full-service international law firm in Toronto. Rebecca’s estates experience includes will interpretation applications, will rectification applications, solicitor’s negligence actions, and other estates and trusts matters. Rebecca obtained her law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School after earning her honours bachelor of arts degree from Glendon College, York University. Following her call to the Bar, Rebecca was selected as a Fox Scholar and spent a year training as a barrister at the Middle Temple, Inns of Court, in London, UK.

Supreme Court of Canada Unseals Sherman Estate Probate Files

On June 11, 2021, the Supreme Court of Canada released its highly anticipated decision in Sherman Estate v. Donovan. Background The facts of the case have been widely publicized. Barry and Honey Sherman, a prominent couple, were found dead in their home in December 2017. Their deaths, treated as homicides,…

Continue Reading

Supreme Court of Canada Orders Unsealing of Sherman Probate Files

On June 11, 2021, the Supreme Court of Canada released its highly anticipated decision in Sherman Estate v. Donovan. Background The facts of the case have been widely publicized. Barry and Honey Sherman, a prominent couple, were found dead in their home in December 2017. Their deaths, treated as homicides,…

Continue Reading

Whose Claim Is It Anyway?

In the recent decision of Goldentuler v. Simmons Da Silva LLP, 2021 ONCA 2019, the Court of Appeal for Ontario considered whether an individual had capacity to commence a lawsuit in which the cause of action belonged to an estate. Facts The late Henry Goldentuler (“Henry”) was a lawyer in…

Continue Reading

Court of Appeal for Ontario Dismisses Moot Guardianship Appeal

In Hernandez v. Hernandez, 2021 ONSC 106, the Court of Appeal for Ontario considered the issue of whether litigation involving the personal care of a person is rendered moot after that person dies. In 2017, Cheri Hernandez commenced an application seeking an order terminating the authority of her brother, Norman…

Continue Reading

Can a Suicide Note Be a Will?

In McGrath v. Joy, 2020 ONSC 7454, the Court considered whether the contents of a suicide note could be admitted to probate as a holograph Will, and in particular, whether the deceased had the requisite testamentary capacity to make a Will prior to taking his own life. Facts Sadly, Joseph…

Continue Reading

A Change of Heart Does Not Create a Resulting Trust

In the recent decision of Hertendy v. Gault, 2020 ONSC 7555, the Court considered a mother’s summary judgment motion to set aside the transfer of her property to her daughter for no consideration. Facts: On October 28, 2011, Marian Hertendy appointed her daughter, Beverly Ann Gault, as her attorney for…

Continue Reading

To Forgive, or Not to Forgive, What Was the Intention?

In Middleton Estate v. Middleton, 2020 ONCA 552 (CanLII), the Court of Appeal for Ontario considered the appeal from a trial judge’s decision concluding that the first of two promissory notes reflected the deceased’s intention that a loan made to her daughter was repayable on the deceased’s death. Facts: Eva…

Continue Reading

Beware of the “Zombie” Deed

In Thompson v. Elliott Estate, 2020 ONSC 1004 (CANLII), the Court considered the validity and effect of a “zombie” deed signed by a transferor while alive in order to convey an interest in land, but not registered on title until after the transferor’s death. The Facts: Alitha Elizabeth Elliott and…

Continue Reading

Court of Appeal Denies Stay of Order to Sell Property In Power of Attorney Dispute

In the recent decision of Volk v. Volk, 2020 ONCA 297, the Court of Appeal for Ontario declined the moving parties’ motion for a stay pending appeal of an Order granting the sale of real property alleged to have been purchased by attorneys for property with the funds of the…

Continue Reading

Intention Governs the Disposition of RRSP converted to RRIFs

In the recent application of Boulos v. Duca, 2020 ONSC 1946, the Court considered the issue of what becomes of a beneficiary designation of an RRSP when the account is converted to a RRIF, and no subsequent beneficiary designation is made. Facts: In the 1980s, Yura Nicola Khagek met a…

Continue Reading