August 2022

Estate Donations: Six Years Later

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The 2016 introduction of the Graduated Rate Estate (GRE) regime was accompanied by the “estate donations” rules. These Income Tax Act provisions altered the administrative and tax treatment of gifts by will, as well as direct designation gifts of life insurance, RRSP/RRIFs, and TFSAs.   How are charities and executors managing with these rules six and a half years later? I’d say the experience is mixed. Estate Donation Features Let me….

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Estate Administration, Estate Donations, Philanthropy/Charitable Giving, Uncategorized

A new place to call home……

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One of the hardest things that an adult child caregiver has to deal with, is placement of a parent; specifically, a parent with advancing dementia.  There is no roadmap and every situation is unique however there are common threads that we see on a daily basis.  We know that if it was possible, that most of us would want to support  their parent in their own home and not require….

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Caregiving

What If… Black Panther Made a Will? – Lessons in Ensuring Your Common-Law Spouse Inherits if You Die Without a Will

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Today’s blog was written by Jessica Butler, Law Clerk at Fasken LLP. Chadwick Boseman’s death came as a surprise to the world when he passed away in August 2020, at age 43 from colon cancer.  Chadwick was best known for his role in Black Panther – the first superhero movie to ever be nominated for  “Best Picture” among five other awards at the Oscars in 2019. Fans were shocked to….

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Estate Administration, Estate Litigation, Estate Planning, Executors, In the News, Wills

How to Get an Estate’s Bank Records (and why you need them)

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This blog was written by Holly LeValliant Bank records may be key evidence in estate litigation cases.  They can be the crux of a case where undue influence, financial mismanagement, or a history of dependant’s support are alleged. The bank may be the only practical source of information that would allow the parties to determine if the key facts of an estate litigation case can be proven.  Providing the bank in….

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Uncategorized

Who is a “Spouse”?

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A ‘Playboy’ Millionaire’s Legacy The estate litigation of dismembered multi-millionaire Gang Yuan has once again made headlines. Last Friday, the British Columbia Court of Appeal denied leave to appeal by one of five mothers to his children who sought to establish that she was a “spouse” to Mr. Yuan. Mr. Yuan came to Canada in 2007. The ‘playboy’ millionaire fathered 5 children with 5 mothers, while romantically engaging as many….

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Estate Administration, Estate Litigation, In the News, Uncategorized

YES YOU REALLY DO NEED A POWER OF ATTORNEY……

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Peonies

My colleague’s blog on August 5 was titled: “Do I Really Need A Power of Attorney?” Let me add my loud response of  ‘YES YOU DO’ because if you don’t, your wishes of how you want to live your life, will likely not be heard.  This is the reality for many who have no one to advocate for them and ultimately, when they are no longer capable, the last chapter….

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Power of Attorney
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