All About Estates

Gowling WLG LLP

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TAX CONSIDERATIONS FOR GIFTS OF SHARES IN CANADA

Gwenyth Stadig, Natasha Barrett, Upama Poudyal, Abdullah Khalid, Amber LeBlanc all of Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP Canadian donors can donate a variety of types of property to “qualified donees” which gift can be eligible for donation tax credits. Subsection 149.1(1) of the Income Tax Act (“ITA”) defines the term “qualified…

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Not All Questions Are Appropriate for an Advice, Opinion or Directions Application: Discretion Must be Exercised by the Trustee, and not by the Court

Anna Chen, Associate, Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP Often, estate trustees or trustees apply to the court for its opinion, advice or direction in respect to issues in the administration of the estates or trusts.  The questions put to the court may range from the interpretation of a clause in a…

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The New Canadian Entrepreneurs’ Incentive and Your Succession Plan

Donya Ashnaei articling student and Maddi Thomas, associate, Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP Introduction Following a year marked by low GDP growth, high inflation, and rising interest rates, the federal government unveiled several proposed measures in Budget 2024, including an increase in the capital gains inclusion rate from 50% to 66.67%…

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Medical Evidence Under Sections 35 and 52 of the Evidence Act and Rule 53.03 of the Rules of Civil Procedure

Irina Samborski, associate and Nina Fainman-Adelman, consultant, Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP Introduction The recent Ontario Superior Court decision, The Estate of William Robert Waters v Gillian Henry et al, 2024 ONSC 4190 (CanLII) (“Waters”) highlighted the importance of medical evidence in estate litigation. In that case, Justice Callaghan relied on…

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Waters v Henry: Respecting a Testator’s Free Will to Make “Bad” Decisions

Irina Samborski, associate and Caroline Mercer, articling student, Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP When an estate is litigated, a deceased person’s decision-making is forced into the public record. Sometimes, the court is asked to pass judgement and correct decisions that may seem unreasonable or unfair. However, some courts prefer to uphold…

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Estate Planning and the Indian Act: Considerations for Spouses Without Indian Status

Maddi Thomas associate Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP Estate planning presents several unique considerations for Indigenous peoples to whom the Indian Act applies: i.e., First Nation peoples who possess Indian status (“status”) and who “ordinarily reside”[1] on reserve land.[2] To be clear, while the term “Indian” may not be appropriate to use in…

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