In 1787, Josiah Wedgwood, the British ceramics manufacturer, created an anti-slavery medallion in its classical, low-relief house style. This medallion is the OG protest button, and it was circulated free to abolitionist societies to be pinned to clothing of reformers. It starts a trend that has influenced the world of…
Some drafting errors in wills can be rectified before or during the process to obtain a Certificate of Appointment of Estate Trustee (“CAET”). In Ontario we now know that the disappointed beneficiary alleging those errors, who also sues the drafting solicitor, must seek rectification prior to the issuance of the…
Today’s Post is by Ashley Thornton, Articling Student, Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP When an estate trustee steps down from their role, whether voluntarily or by removal, they face a critical question: what obligations remain, and what risks do they carry forward? The transition out of a trusteeship is not simply…
This blog has been written by Latoya Brown, Associate at Fasken LLP Valentine’s Day is often associated with flowers, cards, and grand gestures. But beyond the chocolates and celebrations, February also offers a quieter reminder of what truly matters: the people we care about. It’s an opportunity to pause and…
In recent years, Ontario courts have placed increasing emphasis on the moral obligations owed to dependants when assessing claims under Part V of the Succession Law Reform Act (“SLRA”). While testamentary autonomy remains a fundamental principle, recent decisions show that courts are prepared to intervene where a will fails to…
Gifting property to the next generation is an estate strategy at its simplest form. For farming families, farm succession planning can often be complex considering the difficulties associated with “equalizing” a farmer’s estate between their children in circumstances where a child is actively involved in the farming business while the…
This blog post has been written by Darren G. Lund, Partner at Fasken LLP With the holiday season having only recently passed (although in many ways it feels like a long time ago already), I am reminded of how easy it is for news items to get lost in the…
This issue was recently considered by the Court in Re Pregent Estate, 2025 ONSC 7208 (CanLII). Roberta Anne Pregent died on February 8, 2024 in Kingston, Ontario. She left a last will and testament dated April 12, 1973, executed in Quebec, where she resided at the time. The will attached…
Many of us dream of escaping a Canadian winter, especially this year, with the repeated snowfalls and freezing temperatures. As our population ages, the annual migration of Canadian ‘snowbirds’ to warmer climates continues to grow. Travelling with a person who has cognitive impairments can be challenging, yet it is possible…
As an estates law clerk, when I begin work on a new estate administration file, one of the first things I do is read the deceased’s obituary. It isn’t a legal document like the Will, but it often provides valuable background information about the deceased and helpful context about family…