Gillian Fournie

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Gillian is a lawyer with de VRIES LITIGATION LLP. Her practice focuses on the area of trusts and estates litigation. More of Gillian's blogs can be found at https://devrieslitigation.com/author/gfournie/

When Families Collide with Constructive Trusts

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Families often fall into patterns and routines; they are comfortable, stable, and predictable. They can also give rise to legal rights over land. The extent and enforceability of those rights is often put to the test following death or divorce. Such was the case in Tomek v Zabukovec, 2020 ONSC 2930. History of the Property Joseph Sr. (the “Deceased”) and his wife Mary had two sons, Joseph Jr. (the “Husband”)….

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Contracts, Estate Litigation, Estate Planning, Executors, Family Conflict, Limitation periods, Property, Resulting Trust

What Happens When One Joint Owner is in Debt?

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While the right of survivorship is often thought of as the defining characteristic of joint tenancy, joint tenancy is also defined by “four unities.” Justice Perell succinctly defined the “four unities” in Royal & SunAlliance Insurance Company v Muir, 2011 ONSC 2273: A joint tenancy is distinguished by what are known as four unities: (1) unity of title, the co-owners take under the same instrument; (2) unity of interest, the….

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Appeals, Family Conflict, Joint Tenancy, Property, Real Estate, Spouse

When Will a Court Reconsider Its Decision?

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Judges cannot reconsider their decision – once an order is issued, the judge’s job (and jurisdiction to hear further arguments) is done. In very limited cases, a party may ask the court to reconsider after the decision is released but before a formal order is taken out. However, the test to meet is high…..

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Appeals, Capacity Law, Contested wills, Courts, Estate Administration, Estate Administration and Probate Applications, Estate Litigation, Family Conflict, Wills

The Judicial Preference for Non-Intervention in Guardianship Disputes

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Guardianship disputes can be stressful and costly. Though each party wishes to do what is in the best interests of their incapable loved one, they struggle to reach an agreement about how to manage the incapable person’s personal care or property. These conflicts often make their way to the courts for resolution. But should they?….

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Capacity Law, Estate Litigation, Family Conflict, Guardianship

Suspicious Circumstances – For Wills Only

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Because the doctrine of suspicious circumstances was developed in respect of probate and wills, it cannot easily be exported into other areas of law, including contract law…..

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Capacity Law, Contested wills, Contracts, Estate Litigation, Estate Planning, Executors, Geriatric Care Management, Property, Real Estate, Testamentary Capacity, Trustee, Undue influence, Wills
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