Refresher On Dealing With Foreign Grants In Ontario

Quite often, we are contacted by law firms in foreign jurisdictions requesting assistance in resealing or confirming a foreign grant in Ontario to deal with assets located in Ontario. My colleague Emily Hubling and I reviewed this topic back in 2019 (https://allaboutestates.ca/probate-becomes-international-affair/) and today’s blog is a refresher on the process of resealing or confirming a foreign grant, taking into account changes to the forms and court processes that have….

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Estate Administration, International, Uncategorized

Fall back, Plan forward

September is an important planning month for many people. There are those planning for their kids to go back to school, some planning to preserve their fruits and vegetables for the colder months ahead while other holiday enthusiasts are planning to decorate for Halloween (too soon…sorry). While planning is at the top of mind, consider Estate Planning. Many changes have occurred in recent months, such as change in capital gains….

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Estate Planning

Equalization and Vesting: An Uncommon Combination

In Leith v Eccles, 2024 ONSC 4769, the applicant, Linda, brought a motion to receive an equalization payment from the estate of her late husband, William (the “Estate”). Linda wanted to apply the equalization payment towards the purchase of the matrimonial home she had lived in with William for many years, but which now belonged to the Estate. While Linda was entitled to receive an equalization payment from the Estate,….

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Uncategorized

Waters v Henry: Respecting a Testator’s Free Will to Make “Bad” Decisions

Irina Samborski, associate and Caroline Mercer, articling student, Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP When an estate is litigated, a deceased person’s decision-making is forced into the public record. Sometimes, the court is asked to pass judgement and correct decisions that may seem unreasonable or unfair. However, some courts prefer to uphold the deceased’s freedom to decide—no matter what the living may think. This was the case in The Estate of William….

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Contested wills, Courts, Estate Litigation, Estate Planning

Equalizing an Estate Where One of More Children are U.S. Persons and Planning Strategies Where There Are U.S. Beneficiaries; Part III

This is Part III of a three-part blog series. Parts I & II can be found at the following respective links: https://allaboutestates.ca/equalizing-an-estate-where-one-of-more-children-are-u-s-persons-and-planning-strategies-where-there-are-u-s-beneficiaries-part-i/ and https://allaboutestates.ca/equalizing-an-estate-where-one-of-more-children-are-u-s-persons-and-planning-strategies-where-there-are-u-s-beneficiaries-part-ii/. Parts I & II discussed a few issues to consider if a client’s intention is to equalize their estate amongst their children where one or more children are U.S. Persons (such U.S. children, a “U.S. Child”). This Part III builds on Parts I & II and….

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Estate Planning, Executors, Tax Issues, Trusts, United States, US Taxes, Wills

Charities have Fiduciary Duties as Estate Beneficiaries

I recently spoke to an estate lawyer who told me she would never recommend certain charities to clients. Why?  Because of the way these charities treated estate trustees. Some charities are unduly litigious, grind on fees, and are obstreperous about releases. It’s not the first time I’ve heard this comment from estate professionals – and some traumatized lay executors and family members. Sympathy for Charities It’s hard to evaluate the….

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Estate Donations, Estate Planning, Philanthropy/Charitable Giving, Uncategorized
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