R.E.S.P.E.C.T…..the handwriting analysis?

The Aretha Franklin estate saga has taken another interesting turn this week, with a Michigan Probate Court making an order for a handwriting analyst to review one of her holograph Wills. As Lara Besharat explained in her detailed blog post on May 23rd, Aretha died in August of 2018, leaving behind three handwritten Wills, two of which were dated 2010, and one of which was dated 2014. The two Wills….

R.E.S.P.E.C.T…..the handwriting analysis? Continue Reading »

Estate Administration

Providing for Beneficiaries living with Addictions and Substance Abuse

This Blog was written by: Alicia Godin, Estate and Trust Consultant, Scotiatrust  I recently had the opportunity to participate in the estate planning process for two sets of clients facing similar challenges. Both clients are in their mid to late 60’s, and they each have two children. It was their intention to leave their respective estates to each of their children, in a fair and equal manner. Previous blog posts….

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To Boldly Go Where No Estate Litigation Has Gone Before

Even if you have never seen an episode of Star Trek you are probably familiar with “Beam me up, Scotty”[1] or Mr. Spock’s ears. The judges of our Superior Court frequently mine the show for metaphors.[2] Gene Roddenberry is widely known as the mind behind Star Trek but less well known is his ugly estate litigation fight that centered around the definition of “Star Trek.” Mr. Roddenberry and his first….

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Estate Litigation

A TFSA loses its tax exempt status

The income tax treatment of a trust and its beneficiary where the trust lost its status as a tax-free savings account (TFSA) because it contravened the registration restriction on borrowing money was the subject of a recent Canada Revenue Agency(CRA) technical interpretation. The trust continued to exist for several years after the borrowing occurred and was administered during that time by the TFSA issuer as though it were a TFSA…..

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Canada Revenue Agency, Estate Administration, Executors, Tax Issues

Embryo Freezing Costs: Medical Expense Tax Credit Extended to Same Sex Couples.

The Income Tax Act (“ITA”) generally permits as an eligible medical expense of an individual, an amount paid to a medical practitioner, dentist, or nurse or a public or licensed private hospital for medical or dental services provided to a patient. Medical services are diagnostic, therapeutic or rehabilitative services that are performed by a medical practitioner acting within the scope of his or her professional training. Generally, a payment to….

Embryo Freezing Costs: Medical Expense Tax Credit Extended to Same Sex Couples. Continue Reading »

Canada Revenue Agency, Estate Planning, Healthcare, In the News, Spouse, Tax Issues, Uncategorized

And the “Petty” Saga Continues…

Liz Bozek first blogged about the tragedy of Tom Petty’s sudden death and the musical legacy that he left behind, commenting that “a life unexpectedly cut short can nevertheless be celebrated because of the rich legacy left behind.” Unfortunately, any hopes of a long-term celebration by his family were dashed when Tom’s daughters, Annakim and Adria, sued Tom’s widow and their step-mother, Dana York Petty, for control of his music….

And the “Petty” Saga Continues… Continue Reading »

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