estates

Five Practical Tips for Preparing and Reviewing Estate Accounts

Estate trustees have a duty to keep accurate records of estate assets and transactions throughout their administration and to account to beneficiaries at appropriate intervals. The estate accounts tell the story of how estate assets were collected, managed, spent, and distributed. Once that accounting has been provided, estate trustees may seek a discharge for the period covered by the accounts, either through beneficiary releases or a court passing of accounts…..

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Estate Administration, Executors, Passing Of Trustees’ and Executors’ Accounts, Trustee, Trustee Compensation

Equal or Equitable? A Conversation Every Estate Planner Should Have

This blog has been written by Pritika Deepak, Associate at Fasken LLP. One of the most common instructions estate planners hear from clients is: “I want to treat all of my children equally.” While that may sound straightforward, it often warrants a deeper discussion. In estate planning, equal and equitable are not the same thing, and they can produce very different outcomes. A planner who fails to explore this distinction….

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Estate Planning, Wills

Living Across Borders: Estate Planning Lessons from a Destination Wedding

This blog has been written by Pritika Deepak, Associate at Fasken LLP. Last week, I was in sunny Trinidad and Tobago celebrating the wedding of a close friend. We first met years ago when she came to Canada for undergraduate studies and later built a life in Toronto. The wedding brought together friends and family from across the globe, many of whom, like the bride, had meaningful connections to Canada….

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Estate Planning, Power of Attorney, Wills

Starting With the Obituary

As an estates law clerk, when I begin work on a new estate administration file, one of the first things I do is read the deceased’s obituary. It isn’t a legal document like the Will, but it often provides valuable background information about the deceased and helpful context about family members.[1] It feels respectful to acknowledge the person behind the file before shifting focus to the legal documents and formal….

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Estate Administration, Funeral Planning, Grief

Holiday Reflections: The Importance of Estate and Incapacity Planning

This blog post was written by Mohena Singh, Associate at Fasken LLP. The holiday season often brings cherished time full of gift exchanges, gatherings with family, and a break from work. Amid the festivities, it’s also an opportune moment to discuss estate and incapacity planning – a topic that, while rarely broached at the dinner table, is vital for protecting your family’s future. The cautionary tale of Vaccaro v. Vaccaro….

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Estate Administration, Estate Litigation, Estate Planning, Wills

The Stages of an Estate Administration – Part 1

Today’s blog was written by Courtney Lanthier, Law Clerk at Fasken. Having worked in this field for over 10 years now, I’ve definitely done my fair share of estate planning, but not nearly enough estate administration. Now, after a long hiatus, I’m stepping back in and starting to notice that things have definitely changed. The process and steps involved in an administration can be overwhelming for those of us working….

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Estate Administration, Estate Administration and Probate Applications, Executors, Practice Management
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