Can a McDonald’s Paper Napkin be a Valid Will?

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We know that a suicide note can constitute a valid will in British Columbia, and possibly in Ontario. However, can a will written on a paper napkin from a McDonald’s restaurant be a valid will in Saskatchewan? This was interesting issue was addressed in Gust v. Langan. The Facts Six months before he passed, testator Philip Langan was dining at a McDonald’s restaurant in May or June of 2015 when….

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Estate Planning, Family Conflict, Interest

Inheritance and Tax

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There is renewed discussion on whether Canada will become another jurisdiction where specific gift or estate taxes will be imposed on inheritances. There is speculation that the discussion will lead to something concrete as early as next week’s Federal Budget. In the meantime, there are situations where inheritances can come with a tax burden, such as the one described in a recent Tax Court of Canada case (Goldman v. the….

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Attorney Compensation, Canada Revenue Agency, Compensation, Costs, Courts, Estate Administration, Estate Administration and Probate Applications, Estate Litigation, Executors, Investments, Liability, Tax Issues, Trustee, Trustee Compensation, Trusts, Uncategorized

You can’t choose your family but you can choose your friends

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Further to my fellow blogger’s April 4, 2021 read, I thought I would continue the discussion on the importance of appointing an attorney for property and my particular area of interest, care.  Have you ever wondered what would happen if you didn’t have a family member who could assume the role of power of attorney for care and finance? Who would look after your best interests and keep your personal wishes….

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Caregiving, Power of Attorney

Thoughts on Digitally-Issued Certificates of Appointment of Estate Trustee

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In the blog posted by Maureen Berry on October 9, 2020, my fellow clerks and I wrote about the welcome changes that were introduced that would allow for applications for certificates of appointment of estate trustee (the “Probate Application”) to be filed electronically.  It has now been six months since this change was introduced and I thought I might provide my thoughts on the process. As a reminder, effective October….

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Estate Administration, Estate Administration and Probate Applications, Executors, Wills

If you fail to plan, you plan to fail! What happens if you don’t have a Power of Attorney?

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This Blog was written by: Taylor Sergeant, Scotiatrust  In my job at as a Trust Officer, I see the importance of incapacity and estate planning daily. I understand and appreciate the value of having the difficult discussions needed to plan for a time in which you may no longer be able to make decisions for yourself. This thought often leaves me wondering, why doesn’t everyone execute a Power of Attorney?….

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Guardianship, Power of Attorney

Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way

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Can a suicide note be a valid holograph will? Maybe, and it depends upon where you live. The Ontario case of McGrath v. Joy, which decision was released at the end of 2020, dealt with whether a suicide note was a valid holograph will. My colleague, Rebecca Studin, recently blogged about the case, where it was found that the suicide note was not a valid holograph will. The judge commented,….

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Estate Litigation, Estate Planning, Wills
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