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Toronto Ontario Estate Law Blog
Never Will I Ever: Constraints on the Authority of Attorneys
The ability of a person to appoint a substitute decision-maker, known as an attorney, is a longstanding right of those in Ontario with the requisite capacity and is governed by various provincial legislation and case law. This right is much the same in many other common law jurisdictions, but terminology
How to Navigate the Underused Housing Tax (UHT) Maze
Canada’s underused housing tax (UHT), which took effect on January 1, 2022, had its first filing deadline on April 30, 2023. However, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) provided transitional relief so that no penalties or interest will be applied for returns and payments received before November 1, 2023. In a
The European Succession Regulation: Recent Developments and Challenges in the Quest for Certainty
Notwithstanding that it is a European Union regulation, the European Succession Regulation can be of great assistance to Canadian citizens who have EU connections in their estate planning. In brief, the Regulation applies to all European Union member states, with the exception of Ireland and Denmark, both of which opted
How Not to Update Your Will
Your Will is an expression of your last wishes and sometimes, as circumstances and family dynamics change, you will need to update your Will to reflect these changes. But these updates should not be taken lightly and, if not done properly, can put your entire estate plan in jeopardy. This
Wills and Estates 101: Keeping Your Legal Terms Straight
This blog is a nod to all of our clients who think they are appointing us (their lawyer/attorney) as their “attorney” for property. We’ve put together this helpful resource of important legal terms in the Ontario estate and trust planning context. We hope this is a helpful tool or refresher
Dare to Choose: Update on Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID)
On the heels of Canada Day, what are the things that make Canada distinctive? Well, on the estate and advance planning front, one significant difference is that Canadians have the ability to choose to end their life with medical assistance that many residing in other countries do not have. We
Beyond the Business: Other Uses for a Dual Will Plan
In jurisdictions where there are high probate fees, like Ontario, using multiple Wills in your estate plan is of particular importance. As you may be aware, you can have two Wills – a Primary Will that governs any asset that would likely attract a request of probate, and a Secondary
Your Life, Your Estate Plan, Your Choice
This is definitely dating myself, but in thinking about this blog I was unable to get Jon Bon Jovi’s “It’s My Life” out of my head (check it out on YouTube here). Sorry for the earworm! Mr. Bon Jovi (we’ve never met, so I’ll not call him Jon just yet)
A Lost or Misplaced Will: Here’s What it Means and What You Can Do
A person can only have one original will. In order for a will to be probated in Ontario, the original will must be filed with the Court. A copy of the original will, or even a notarial copy, cannot be used in its place without a court order. So, what
Reflections and Predictions on our 25th Anniversary
This blog comes to you today, May 4, 2023, on the 25th anniversary of the establishment of our firm. I thought I would share some reflections on the past and some predictions for the future. It’s with a lot of gratitude that we as a firm take a moment to
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