No Good Deed Goes Unpunished

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The phrase “No good deed goes unpunished” is often attributed to Clara Boothe Luce, an American Dramatist, who was the first American woman appointed to a significant ambassadorial post abroad. Today it is often used to express the idea that beneficial actions often go unappreciated or are met with hostility.  The decision of the Ontario Court of Appeal in Teixeira v. Markgraf Estate, 2017 ONCA 819 no doubt left Arlindo….

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Elder Care, Estate Administration, Estate Litigation, Trustee

Charity v. Benevolence

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Last week I received two inquiries from caring colleagues hoping to help individuals in need.  One person had cancer and had lost his business, while the other was a sick child who perhaps could benefit from her own charitable foundation.  As heart-rending as these stories are, neither qualify as “charity”.   Both are forms of benevolence. Charity and benevolence are confused all the time.  Simply, benevolence is support of an individual….

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Charitable Giving, Estate Donations, Philanthropy/Charitable Giving

Capacity to Contract – The Settlement Edition

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Capable adults are free to enter into a contract with one another. Once entered into, the contract is binding on the parties (exceptions apply) and they may ask the court for assistance enforcing the terms of the contract. Different rules apply to contracts entered into by minors (in Ontario, the Age of Majority and Accountability Act defines a “minor” is anyone under the age of 18). Subject to a few….

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Contracts, Disability, Estate Litigation

Estate income entitlement

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With the filing deadline for trust tax returns fast approaching, it is a good idea to take a look at some recent tax news which may be of some interest to executors. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) was recently asked their view on whether a beneficiary of an estate has the right to income of an estate after the estate has passed the end of the “executor’s year” such that….

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Canada Revenue Agency, Estate Administration, Estate Planning, Executors, Tax Issues, Wills

Death and TOSI

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In my previous blog I looked at the revised rules for the tax on split income, or “TOSI”, that were released on December 13, 2017. In that blog I noted there are special rules that apply in respect of income and gains on property that is acquired as a consequence of death. This blog focuses on those provisions. If income or gains from property are “split income”[1] the TOSI applies….

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Capacity Evaluation of an Expressed Choice

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In law, expressed choices are not necessarily a reflection of capable decision making. For example, regarding testamentary capacity, the Ontario Court of Appeal in Hall v. Bennett Estate (2003)[i] stated in paragraphs 15 and 16 that it is not sufficient simply to show that a testator had the capacity to communicate his or her testamentary wishes. Those wishes must be shown to be the product of a sound and disposing….

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Capacity Law, Elder Care, Elder Law, Family Conflict, Guardianship, Powers Of Attorney and Guardianship Disputes, Spouse
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