Estate Litigation

Total 411 Posts

A Failure to Compensate: What is a Quantum Meruit Claim and How Can It Be Proven in Court?

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A claim in quantum meruit is sometimes made in the estates litigation context by a disappointed beneficiary. The words quantum meruit literally mean “as much as deserved.” The claimant argues that he or she deserved compensation from the deceased for work that was done but was not properly compensated for under the deceased’s will. In order to succeed, a plaintiff must establish that the services were not rendered gratuitously and….

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Estate Litigation

Does the Timing of their Father’s Death Disinherit Them?

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In Royston et al v Alkerton et al, 2016 ONSC 2986 (CanLII) the estate trustees of Recia’s estate sought the court’s advice and direction to interpret her will. Recia had five children. Two of them, Alan and John, predeceased her. Alan had two children; John had none. Subsequent to Alan and John’s death, Recia made a will with the following provision: My Trustees shall divide the residue of my estate….

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Estate Litigation, Trustee, Wills

Sumner and National Amusements

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In a number of previous Blogs, there have been references to famous families feuding over estates. This Blog is about a similar story except that the subject, Sumner Redstone, is still alive at 92 years of age. For those who don’t know, Sumner Redstone is a media mogul. He currently owns the majority interest in Viacom and CBS Corporation (through National Amusements Inc.), estimated to be worth around $5 billion…..

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Capacity Law, Estate Planning, Family Conflict, Powers Of Attorney and Guardianship Disputes, Succession Planning, Testamentary Capacity, Undue influence

Provincial residency of a Trust

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The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) was asked if there was any change to their view regarding the application of the central management and control (CMC) test in establishing the residency of a trust for provincial income tax purposes in light of the decisions in Discovery Trust v. Canada and Boettger C. Agence du revenu du Québec.
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Canada Revenue Agency, Estate Administration, Estate Litigation, Estate Planning, Executors, Tax Issues, Trusts

Comprehensive Advice for Executors

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I recently received an email from the member services department of the Canadian Bar Association which began as follows: “30% of our clients are lawyers that accept personal executor appointments. If it’s good for the lawyer, shouldn’t you tell your estate executor clients that it’s good for them, too?” The “it” in question is Estate Administration Insurance (or Executor Insurance). The language of the communication is pretty provocative: “executor risk….

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Estate Litigation, Estate Planning, Executors, Family Conflict

Costly Cottage Dispute – $403,174.85 in Legal Costs Sought in Dispute Over $300,000 Cottage

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At long last, cottage season is upon us. As I gaze longingly out my window at the construction of what looks like an awesome rooftop patio in the making, I thought it would be fitting to write about a cottage dispute.[1] A really, really expensive cottage dispute. The background was as follows. The mother, Grace, made a will in 2010 leaving her condo to her daughter Barbara and her cottage….

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Capacity Law, Costs, Cottage, Estate Litigation, Family Conflict, Property, Real Estate, Testamentary Capacity, Wills
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