March 2020

Actions Have Consequences – They May Sever Joint Tenancy

Leaving aside other means of severance, including that which occurs on bankruptcy or by judicial sale, there are three main ways to sever a joint tenancy: Unilaterally acting on one’s own share, such as selling or encumbering it; A mutual agreement between the co-owners to sever the joint tenancy; and Any course of dealing sufficient to intimate that the interests of all were mutually treated as constituting a tenancy in….

Actions Have Consequences – They May Sever Joint Tenancy Continue Reading »

Estate Administration, Estate Litigation, Estate Planning, Executors, Family Conflict, Joint Tenancy, Property, Real Estate, Spouse

Clearance Certificates

An executor, as the legal representative of the estate, is required to obtain a clearance certificate before distributing property that they control. Where the executor fails to obtain a clearance certificate, they are liable for any unpaid amounts in respect of any property distributed. Some will argue that not every estate needs a tax clearance certificate, but a recent court case highlights the kind of trouble an executor can get….

Clearance Certificates Continue Reading »

Canada Revenue Agency, Estate Litigation, Executors, Passing Of Trustees’ and Executors’ Accounts, Tax Issues, Uncategorized, Wills

Happy Monday & Yes We Have More Sunshine!

International Women’s Day was yesterday and my first acknowledgement in today’s blog is to women.   Women are the nurturers who provide the majority of unpaid care to their own family members and they are also the majority of poorly paid carers who look after others.  Women live longer than men and as such, often find themselves aging alone. Women are the backbone of our health care system. My second shout….

Happy Monday & Yes We Have More Sunshine! Continue Reading »

In the News

Estates Law and Privacy Law: An Incomplete Intersection (Part II)

This is the second entry in a three-part blog series about the current state of estates law vis-à-vis privacy law. Part I focused on the relevant federal and provincial privacy legislation. Part II will examine significant court decisions relating to this area. Part III will look at solutions for lawyers to help their clients manage their estate planning to be compliant with privacy law requirements. The previous entry in this….

Estates Law and Privacy Law: An Incomplete Intersection (Part II) Continue Reading »

Estate Administration, Estate Litigation, Estate Planning, Executors, Succession Planning, Trustee, Uncategorized, United States, Wills

Enduring POAs and Gathering Bank Accounts

This blog was written by Suzanne Singh A Power of Attorney is a document that can bestow a wide range of powers to a named party or parties (the Attorney) by an individual (the Donor). POAs may be special or limited in their scope, or enduring in nature where they continue beyond the mental incapacity of the Donor. This blog deals with enduring POAs where the Donor can no longer….

Enduring POAs and Gathering Bank Accounts Continue Reading »

Estate Administration, Power of Attorney

Hidden Fees – A Breach of Trust

Registered accounts are often set up as express trust accounts, with the bank acting as trustee and the account holder as beneficiary. In these cases, banks are subject to all the same fiduciary duties and responsibilities that apply to all trustees – meaning they cannot charge hidden fees…..

Hidden Fees – A Breach of Trust Continue Reading »

Compensation, Contracts, Estate Litigation, Fiduciary Professions, Passing Of Trustees’ and Executors’ Accounts, Trustee, Trustee Compensation, Trusts
Scroll to Top