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/

Does the Estate Trustee Always Participate in Estate Litigation?

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One of the duties of an estate trustee is to respond to litigation brought against the estate. The estate trustee is also the only person with the authority to start litigation on behalf of the estate. Because estates are not legal entities such as corporations, the party to the litigation is the estate trustee, not the estate. If the estate is named as a party to the litigation, the title….

Does the Estate Trustee Always Participate in Estate Litigation? Continue Reading »

Dependant Support, Estate Administration, Estate Administration and Probate Applications, Estate Litigation, Executors, Family Conflict, Spouse, Trustee, Trustee Disputes

What Makes a Marriage?

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Each province in Canada establishes its own rules regarding the distribution of property where a person dies without a will. In Ontario, intestate succession is governed by Part II of the Succession Law Reform Act (the “SLRA”). Inheritance on intestacy is limited to married spouses and blood relations. If a person dies with a common law spouse, the spouse must commence a claim for dependant support pursuant to Part V….

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Dependant Support, Estate Administration, Estate Administration and Probate Applications, Estate Litigation, Executors, Spouse, Trustee

Occupation Rent Will Get You Every Time

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Most adults are familiar with the concept of “rent”: it’s the money you owe every month after signing a lease with a landlord. Related but distinct from “rent” is “occupation rent” – rent’s frequently sought, but little understood, younger cousin who can still pack a punch. Occupation rent fills the void where there is no lease agreement or where a landlord-tenant relationship does not exist. Occupation rent can be sought….

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Estate Administration, Estate Litigation, Estate Planning, Family Conflict, Joint Tenancy, Real Estate

Constructive Trust and Proprietary Estoppel – Built With Your Own Hands

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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 will be put to the test following death or divorce. Such was the case in Tomek v Zabukovec, 2020 ONSC 2930. Joseph Sr. (the “Deceased”) and his wife Mary had two sons, Joseph Jr. (the “Husband”) and Edward. In August….

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Contracts, Estate Litigation, Family Conflict, Property, Real Estate, Spouse

Guardian of Personal Care: Step Up or Step Out

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While the courts will defer to the wishes of the incapable person regarding their attorney/guardian of personal care, they will also look at the past actions of the applicants…..

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Capacity Law, Caregiving, Disability, Elder Care, Elder Law, Family Conflict, Fiduciary Professions, Geriatric Care Management, Guardianship, Power of Attorney, Powers Of Attorney and Guardianship Disputes
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