The principal residence exemption allows a Canadian taxpayer to shelter the capital gains realized on the sale (or other disposition) of a property that meets the definition of a “principal residence” in the Income Tax Act (Canada). Over the years the rules related to claiming the exemption have been tightened up. For example, up until 1982 where two spouses owned different principal residences, each could claim the exemption over their respective property. This was changed in 1982, such that each family unit can only have one principal residence for a given time period…..

A colleague of mine previously blogged about the importance of taking care of business so that you don’t leave a mess for your family and the courts, using the late famous musician, Prince, as an example for failing to plan for death. Since Prince’s passing in April 2016, no will has surfaced and the legal issues have continued to emerge, the latest, among them, being the interplay between probate and….