Courts

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When is a Family Trust a Family Asset in a Divorce in Ontario?

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Scotiatrust

This blog post was written by: Holly LeValliant, Estate and Trust Consultant, Scotiatrust Toronto   Family Trusts and the Family Law Act Family trusts are popular tools for estate planning, asset protection, and intergenerational wealth transfer in Ontario.  However, during a divorce, they can become contentious:  is the trust an asset that is subject to an equalization between the spouses?  Can the assets in the trust be used to determine….

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Courts, Family Conflict, Trusts

Estate Trustee Compensation

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Scotiatrust

Taking on the role of an estate trustee can be a difficult one. The tasks typically involve gathering in and managing assets, determining liabilities, and moving the administration of an estate forward until it is time to distribute the net assets to the beneficiaries. While there is a general principle that an estate should be wrapped up within 1 year (also known as the “executor’s year”), completing the administration of….

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Compensation, Courts, Estate Administration, Estate Administration and Probate Applications, Estate Litigation, Trustee, Trustee Compensation

Rule 7 and New Ontario Regulation 173/25

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The multi-faceted Rule 7 of the Ontario Rules of Civil Procedure often comes into play in estate litigation. Generally, in estates cases, the Rule may be engaged when there is a settlement impacting a person under disability (i.e. a minor, an absentee within the meaning of the Absentees Act, or a person who is mentally incapable within the meaning of section 6 or 45 of the Substitute Decisions Act, 1992 in….

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Capacity Law, Courts, Disability, Estate Litigation, Guardianship, Power of Attorney, Powers Of Attorney and Guardianship Disputes, Uncategorized

When One Clause or Designation Derails an Estate Plan

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Scotiatrust

This blog post was written by: Dave Madan, Senior Manager, Scotiatrust Recent decisions from the British Columbia Court of Appeal have underscored how fragile an estate plan can become when a Will is ambiguous, or when life insurance and beneficiary designations conflict with the testator’s broader intentions. These cases remind us that estate planning isn’t just about having a Will, it’s about making sure the pieces are consistent, coherent, and….

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Appeals, Contested wills, Courts, Estate Litigation, Insurance, Wills

Gift or Loan? A Family Feud Unwrapped in Court

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This blog post was written by Mohena Singh, Associate at Fasken LLP In the realm of family law and financial planning, the case of Klemensiewicz v. Klemens et al sheds light on the intricacies of familial financial support, particularly the distinction between gifts and loans. Often as estate planners, we see that individuals want to provide for their family members both during their lifetime and through their estate after passing. Many individuals prefer….

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Courts, Estate Planning, Family Conflict

Ontario Estate Court Forms Revamped: Key Changes You Need to Know

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Today’s blog was written by Jessica Butler, Law Clerk at Fasken LLP. The Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General has once again revised the estate-related Court forms, this time under O. Reg. 72/25, which came into effect on August 13, 2025. These changes aim to streamline the probate application process and reduce administrative friction for estate professionals across the province, ultimately benefiting all parties involved in estate administration. What Changed?….

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Courts, Estate Administration, Estate Administration and Probate Applications
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