RRSPs Aren’t the Villain – But Misunderstanding Them Is

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Scotiatrust

This blog post was written by: Melissa Plunkett, Director, Scotiatrust On Friday, September 26, 2025, when CTV news published their story “Daughter hit with $660,000 tax bill when both parents died in the same year”, I was inundated with texts and DMs from friends and family asking me if this could really happen to a middle-class family.   Did the CRA assess too much tax?  Was an RRSP really all taxable at….

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Estate Planning, Tax Issues

Rule 7 and New Ontario Regulation 173/25

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The multi-faceted Rule 7 of the Ontario Rules of Civil Procedure often comes into play in estate litigation. Generally, in estates cases, the Rule may be engaged when there is a settlement impacting a person under disability (i.e. a minor, an absentee within the meaning of the Absentees Act, or a person who is mentally incapable within the meaning of section 6 or 45 of the Substitute Decisions Act, 1992 in….

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Capacity Law, Courts, Disability, Estate Litigation, Guardianship, Power of Attorney, Powers Of Attorney and Guardianship Disputes, Uncategorized

Who Should Be Your Executor in Ontario? Avoiding Conflict and Ensuring Good Governance

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Ashley Thornton, articling student and Maddi Thomas, associate of Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP Choosing your executor (also called an estate trustee in Ontario) is one of the most consequential decisions you will make in the estate planning process. It’s not – or shouldn’t be – about rank in the family, or feelings. Rather, it is about appointing a person who is competent, neutral, trustworthy, and willing to carry out your….

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Executors, Wills

Why Can’t I Get My Parent into a Long-Term Care Home Right Away?

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When planning ahead, most older people will say they want to stay in their own home until the end of life. While this may be their goal, the reality is that care needs can escalate rapidly and become more complex, requiring specialized caregivers. Depending on the resources available to pay for caregivers, the breakpoint for decision-making is often twofold: the ability to manage multiple service providers in the home and….

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Elder Management, Smart Ageing

Estate Donations of Art

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[caption id="attachment_21746" align="aligncenter" width="666"] Decisions, Decisions, Charles Pachter (Courtesy of Heffel Auctions)[/caption] Fine art is an asset class of growing importance among the affluent and is beginning to be a significant part of select estate plans.   A recent estimate pegged the international art market at US$57.5 billion in 2024 (a 12% decline from 2023)  and Canada has seen some record prices at auction.   Many collectors are contemplating donating their art….

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Estate Donations, Estate Planning, Philanthropy/Charitable Giving
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