Anna Alizadeh

In a previous post, I shared with you a number of interesting (often odd) requests and bequests in a last will and testament.  Today, I share part two of some of the most interesting last wills and testaments in the last few centuries: Can we communicate with the dead? Harry Houdini is known for his magic tricks and illusions.  He died on October 31, 1926, at the young age of….

A party has a right to be present at all parts of the litigation process, including at examinations for discovery.  However, the court has discretion to exclude co-parties from attending at each other’s examination for discovery where there is a risk of evidence tailoring.  In the recent case of Boodhoo v Persaud, Justice Myers excluded all of the parties from each other’s examinations for discovery. The deceased passed away in….

A last will and testament can often provide insight into a person’s final fortunes, thoughts, and wishes, right down to who should receive his or her hair strands.  For today’s blog, I decided to research fascinating (and sometimes questionable) provisions in last wills and testaments.  I share with you some of the most intriguing requests and bequests in the last two hundred years: Happy birthday, Mr. President Marilyn Monroe left….

An advance directive is a document setting out an individual’s wishes for future medical treatment, most often for treatment in the event of incapacity or unconsciousness.  For example, individuals can outline their wishes with respect to withdrawing, withholding, or providing lifesaving treatment (such as feeding tubes or “Do Not Resuscitate” orders).  One limit to what an individual can ask for in an advance directive is medical assistance in dying (MAID)…..

With minimal restrictions, a testator can appoint whomever they wish as their estate trustee.  However, as our avid readers may know, a testator does not always make the best choice.  In such cases, section 5 of Ontario’s Trustee Act gives the court the power to appoint a new estate trustee (or estate trustees), either in substitution for or in addition to the existing estate trustee(s). Justice Myers’ decision in Laski….