With Toronto’s real estate market being too hot to handle, clients more frequently are calling to review their estate plans in relation to their real estate holdings. Inevitably, such discussion occurs within the context of their overall planning, which may include the use of family trusts (i.e. inter vivos trusts…
Today marks a court-imposed deadline regarding legislative amendments to our laws on medical assistance in dying (“MAiD”). This topic, although heavy, has been important to me, particularly over the past year. As recently as the US election, someone close to me was scheduled for MAiD. As her date was approaching,…
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…
Today’s blog was co-written by Corina Weigl, Partner at Fasken LLP. The recent Ontario Court of Appeal (“ONCA”) decision Climans v Latner[1] (“Latner”) highlights a trap for the unwary. For the purposes of awarding spousal support, clients may be found to be common law “spouses” despite maintaining separate residences. The…
If structuring an estate plan across different Canadian jurisdictions didn’t raise enough considerations for an estate planner, add a different legal system to the mix, namely, Quebec’s civil law. This post focuses on the estate-planning advantages available to clients who hold assets both in Ontario and Quebec, specifically the advantage…
This week in the world of client requests in the context of family trusts, a client (the “Client”) considered appointing their child as one of the trustees of their family trust, however wanted to ensure that such child would not be liable for any error or mistake made by them…
Imagine being retained to draft an inter vivos trust for the queen, Cersei Lannister, of Game of Thrones. Cercei is a protective mother dedicated to maintaining power for herself and her family, which dedication includes succession planning for her power and wealth. Cercei’s instructions may include drafting the trust so…