In my final blog post of my three part series [link to Part one and Part two], I’ll look at what to consider when a parent or guardian is notified that their minor child has an interest in an estate. Such interest, as discussed in my other blogs, may be a legacy (i.e. specific gifts of personal property or cash gifts) or an interest in the residue of the estate…..
You’ve Got Mail – Part Three Continue Reading »
Estate Planning, Family Conflict, WillsThis blog was written by Emily Rosen Having conversations with beneficiaries and being honest about your intentions will set expectations early on and minimize any surprises during an already difficult time. According to a study conducted by Nielson (2014), 46% of Canadians have not spoken to their family about their intentions for their Will. Of those 46%, the top reasons for not doing so are: they haven’t thought about it….
Talking to Your Beneficiaries About Your Estate Plan Continue Reading »
Estate Planning, UncategorizedIn McGrath v. Joy, 2020 ONSC 7454, the Court considered whether the contents of a suicide note could be admitted to probate as a holograph Will, and in particular, whether the deceased had the requisite testamentary capacity to make a Will prior to taking his own life. Facts Sadly, Joseph Philip Joy (“Jody”) committed suicide sometime in the early morning of July 13, 2019, at the age of 49. He….
Can a Suicide Note Be a Will? Continue Reading »
UncategorizedThe Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) was asked to consider allowing more time to allow for the application of a common post-mortem planning rule in those situations where delays in the probate process have caused a delay in the timing of the disposition of the properties of an estate. The request concerns the application of subsection 164(6) of the Income Tax Act (the Act). In the course of administering the graduated rate….
Subsection 164(6) – Time Limit for Dispositions Continue Reading »
Canada Revenue Agency, Estate Planning, Executors
Evaluation of decision-making capacity is inherent to the practice of law and medicine and is not the exclusive responsibility or expertise of either. Lawyers may need to assess (among other things) capacity to instruct counsel; to provide evidence; to stand trial; to appoint or revoke Powers of Attorney; to make a contract, a gift, or execute a will; to marry, divorce and/or reconcile. In healthcare, clinicians are confronted mostly with….
Evaluation of Decision Making Capacity: Aiming for an Improved Standard of Care Continue Reading »
Capacity Law, Disability, Elder Care, Elder Law, Estate Litigation, Geriatric Care Management, Guardianship, Healthcare, Power of Attorney, Powers Of Attorney and Guardianship Disputes, Testamentary Capacity, Undue influence
Introduction Last year, I wrote a blog post about estate planning for tattoo artists, which focused primarily on the intellectual property rights of tattoo artists in their tattoo designs and the ways in which such rights conflict with the rights of the people who actually bear such designs on their skin.[1] In response to my post, I received an interesting article about the developing technique of post-death tattoo preservation.[2] The….
Can You Preserve Your Tattoos After Your Death? Continue Reading »
Estate Administration, Estate Donations, Estate Planning, Executors, Family Conflict, Funeral Planning, In the News, Trustee