One Will, Two Versions

Bayford v. Boese is an interesting case which serves as a reminder of the statutory requirements for due execution of a will. It also provides a thorough analysis of how judges dissect a witness’ evidence and generally determine who to ultimately believe at trial. Bruce Boese (the “Deceased”) was the sole owner of a 22-acre farm in Arnprior, Ontario (the “Farm”) when he died in June 2015. The Deceased executed….

One Will, Two Versions Continue Reading »

Contested wills, Credibility, Estate Litigation, Executors, Wills

When Your Property Is Not Really Your Property

This blog post is co-written with Fatima Husnain, student-at-law at Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP. You might assume that all of the aspects of land within your property line belong to you, but that may not be the case. A recent British Columbia case, Douglas Lake Cattle Company v Nicola Valley Fish and Game Club, 2018 BCSC 2167, found that lakes, and the fish in it, are public property. The Douglas….

When Your Property Is Not Really Your Property Continue Reading »

Uncategorized

Grateful…

This blog was written by Teresa Acs – Director, Professional Development & Process Excellence With Thanksgiving right around the corner, which nicely slides into the season of gift giving, I thought I would selfishly use this Blog to thank my colleagues. I got this idea at my local Starbucks (thank you awesome Scotia Plaza Starbucks team), where they invite patrons to jot down what they are thankful for. They even….

Grateful… Continue Reading »

Uncategorized

Resulting Trusts and Summary Judgment Motions

With its sandy beaches, hiking trails, canoe routes, and wildlife, the Town of Wasaga Beach is a well-loved Ontario vacation destination. However, no town, however idyllic, is immune to lengthy property disputes, especially when the two people fighting are related to each other. Brother A and Brother B were at odds with each other over the beneficial ownership of a house in Wasaga Beach. Brother A was on title to….

Resulting Trusts and Summary Judgment Motions Continue Reading »

Compensation, Cottage, Family Conflict, Loans, Probate Tax, Property, Real Estate, Resulting Trust, Tax Issues, Trustee Compensation, Trusts

Gift of Ecologically Sensitive Lands and the Carryover period for charitable donation deduction

In Yellow Point Lodge Ltd. v, The Queen DTC 1130, the Company owned certain lands on Vancouver Island, mostly undeveloped and in its natural state. In June 2008, the Company granted a covenant and other specified legal interests with respect to a parcel of ecologically-sensitive land, to two organizations, with estimated fair market value in excess of $5 million. Initially, the Company did not claim a deduction in respect of….

Gift of Ecologically Sensitive Lands and the Carryover period for charitable donation deduction Continue Reading »

Canada Revenue Agency, Estate Administration, Estate Donations, Estate Planning, Real Estate, Tax Issues, Uncategorized, Wills

Prayer and Hope for Another Year

(reprinted) Most of us avoid talking about death, but in reality many of us think about it regularly. It may be reading the obits or consideration of the Supreme Court ruling regarding physician assisted death; none of us know what the future brings but death is a certainty. We just don’t know when and how. The Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashanah) was recently celebrated, closely followed by the 10 days….

Prayer and Hope for Another Year Continue Reading »

Elder Care
Scroll to Top