In McGrath v. Joy, 2020 ONSC 7454, the Court considered whether the contents of a suicide note could be admitted to probate as a holograph Will, and in particular, whether the deceased had the requisite testamentary capacity to make a Will prior to taking his own life. Facts Sadly, Joseph Philip Joy (“Jody”) committed suicide sometime in the early morning of July 13, 2019, at the age of 49. He….
Can a Suicide Note Be a Will? Continue Reading »
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In the recent decision of Hertendy v. Gault, 2020 ONSC 7555, the Court considered a mother’s summary judgment motion to set aside the transfer of her property to her daughter for no consideration. Facts: On October 28, 2011, Marian Hertendy appointed her daughter, Beverly Ann Gault, as her attorney for property and personal care. That same year, Marian signed a Will transferring her property at 837 Poonamalie Road in Smiths….
A Change of Heart Does Not Create a Resulting Trust Continue Reading »
UncategorizedIn Middleton Estate v. Middleton, 2020 ONCA 552 (CanLII), the Court of Appeal for Ontario considered the appeal from a trial judge’s decision concluding that the first of two promissory notes reflected the deceased’s intention that a loan made to her daughter was repayable on the deceased’s death. Facts: Eva Middleton died on June 5, 2015. Following Eva’s death, her estate trustee received two promissory notes: the first dated July….
To Forgive, or Not to Forgive, What Was the Intention? Continue Reading »
Credibility, Deference, Estate LitigationIn Thompson v. Elliott Estate, 2020 ONSC 1004 (CANLII), the Court considered the validity and effect of a “zombie” deed signed by a transferor while alive in order to convey an interest in land, but not registered on title until after the transferor’s death. The Facts: Alitha Elizabeth Elliott and Byron Thompson lived in a common law relationship from 2008 until they married in 2014. Each had adult children from….
Beware of the “Zombie” Deed Continue Reading »
UncategorizedIn the recent decision of Volk v. Volk, 2020 ONCA 297, the Court of Appeal for Ontario declined the moving parties’ motion for a stay pending appeal of an Order granting the sale of real property alleged to have been purchased by attorneys for property with the funds of the incapable grantor. Facts: The underlying application involved the property of Doris Volk (“Doris”). Doris was incapable, and her property was….
In the recent application of Boulos v. Duca, 2020 ONSC 1946, the Court considered the issue of what becomes of a beneficiary designation of an RRSP when the account is converted to a RRIF, and no subsequent beneficiary designation is made. Facts: In the 1980s, Yura Nicola Khagek met a married couple, Edward and Nazha Boulos, through their church. Mr. Khagek became close friends with the Bouloses, and often visited….
Intention Governs the Disposition of RRSP converted to RRIFs Continue Reading »
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