May 2018

An Intriguing Will Challenge

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In Koster v. Koster, the Deceased’s nieces and nephews challenged his last will on the grounds of undue influence. There is nothing unusual about a will challenge in these circumstances, the Deceased was a very wealthy man who changed his will in the twilight years of his life. What was unusual is that the nieces and nephews benefit under the Deceased’s last will that they are challenging. If they are….

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Estate Litigation, Undue influence

Gift of securities by executors of a will (continued)

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The Canada Revenue Agency provided its views regarding the income tax implications of a gift made by executors of an estate of a deceased individual.  The information that follows is based on a revised set of facts The taxpayer died in 2016.  His Will named his three sons as equal beneficiaries and co-executors, with no designation of amounts to be given to charitable organizations but giving the co-executors the flexibility….

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Canada Revenue Agency, Estate Planning, Executors, Tax Issues

Hey You Mother…..

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A friend sent me this Mother’s Day greeting: “To the World You are a Mother. But to your Family You are the World!” I don’t know who wrote it, but I believe the sentiment. We all have had a mother and chances are this person shaped our lives more than any one else. For many of us, our mothers were our first loving and significant relationship. Our mothers influenced us,….

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Uncategorized

Real Property and Probate: Quick Tips and Traps

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An estate planner’s clients typically express a desire to minimize taxes payable on death, including Estate Administration Tax (“probate fees”), which are payable on the value of the assets governed by a Will which is probated. For many clients, their home is their asset of most significant value. With the average price of homes in Ontario as of March 2018 at $576,950, which would give rise to probate fees of….

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Uncategorized

Chapter Two in the Family Farm Saga

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The case of John the Farmer (which I had previously blogged about) is now under appeal. John  is seeking to overturn the ruling that he had to vacate the family farm so it could be sold on the open market. A judge rejected John’s request to stay the lower court’s order until the Court of Appeal could weigh in. The Court of Appeal will hear this matter on July 20,….

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Estate Litigation

A Gift is a Gift

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We often write about the benefits (and some pitfalls) of gifting, before and after death. Personally, when I recommend gifting, I assume that unless there are specific outcomes required to realize on the gift, a gift is exactly that, a gift – something transferred voluntarily without expectation of getting it back because you changed your mind.  A recent court case appears to support this assumption. According to Johnston v. Song, 2018….

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Charitable Giving, Estate Planning, Family Conflict, Investments, Probate Tax, Property, Real Estate, Separation, Spouse, Uncategorized
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