All About Estates

Tag: Estate Litigation

Total 85 Posts

“Death and Taxes”

This Blog was written by: Kristie Smith, Estate and Trust Consultant, Scotia Wealth Management  As we have all heard many times in the estate planning community, and as Benjamin Franklin famously remarked, nothing is certain but death and taxes. From the Covid era and then ‘back to normal’; from Elizabeth…

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Probate Forms are Changing…Again

Today’s blog was written by Yvonne Mazurak, Associate, at Fasken LLP As my colleagues, Sandra Arsenault and Betty Laidlaw, have both described in posts earlier this year, Ontario Regulation 709/21 introduced significant changes to the probate procedure. Among the changes, which came into effect on January 1, 2022, was the…

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The Virtual Mediator: Fact or Fantasy?

This post was written by Diana Leopardi   It’s March 15, 2050, Eric Smith dictates an email reply to an asynchronous based mediation regarding an estate settlement issue. He then voice activates his favorite Spotify playlist and prepares to video chat his sister who lives across the country. In a…

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The Importance of Independent Witnesses in a Will Challenge

Di Nunzio vs Di Nunzio reminds us of the standard of evidence required in a will challenge. The testator made a new will in 2017 (the “2017 Will’).  The 2017 Will was made while the testator was in palliative care and she retained a new lawyer to assist her to…

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TIPS ON BRINGING A PASSING OF ACCOUNTS APPLICATION – PART 5 (FINAL THOUGHTS)

Today’s blog will wrap up my series of blogs related to bringing an application to pass accounts (the “Passing Application”).[1]  We will look at how an Executor/Trustee completes the Passing Application and obtains a judgment on passing of accounts. A Passing Application will either proceed without a court hearing, if…

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Surprise…More Big Changes Coming to Estate Administration

Today’s blog was written by Sandra Arsenault, Law Clerk at Fasken LLP “Change is the only constant” – Heraclitus. How is it possible that in one of the most traditional areas of law we are about to see even more big changes come into effect? Just as we get used…

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Removal of Executor/Estate Trustee for Perceived Conflict of Interest

Today’s blog is being brought to you by our guest blogger, Anna Chen The court may remove an executor/estate trustee under its inherent jurisdiction or under section 37 of the Trustee Act.[1]  In either case, the test to remove an executor/estate trustee is stringent, as the court will not lightly…

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Demonstrating Financial Need in a Dependant Support Claim

Today’s blog was written by Tyler Lin, student-at-law with de VRIES LITIGATION LLP When a person passes away, what happens to those who were depending on them? In Ontario, the requirement to provide for your dependants does not end on death. Where the deceased has failed to leave adequate support…

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You Can’t Always Get What You Want, But … You Get What You Need

In Poitras v. Canadian Cancer Society et. al., 2020 ONSC 4935 (CanLII), a  decision on a motion, the Estate Trustee/moving party sought an order setting the terms of a release so an interim distribution could be made. The responding party argued that an interim distribution could not be made until…

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Of Love, Resulting Trusts, Matrimonial Homes and Fenelon Falls

The gratuitous transfer of property from a parent to an adult, capable child may result in a resulting trust.

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