Family Conflict

Total 254 Posts

Capacity Evaluation of an Expressed Choice

In law, expressed choices are not necessarily a reflection of capable decision making. For example, regarding testamentary capacity, the Ontario Court of Appeal in Hall v. Bennett Estate (2003)[i] stated in paragraphs 15 and 16 that it is not sufficient simply to show that a testator had the capacity to communicate his or her testamentary wishes. Those wishes must be shown to be the product of a sound and disposing….

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Capacity Law, Elder Care, Elder Law, Family Conflict, Guardianship, Powers Of Attorney and Guardianship Disputes, Spouse

Sibling Rivalry Over Mother’s Competency

In 2009, Hermine Wekerle, mother of financier and Dragon’s Den star, Michael Wekerle, signed an unconditional power of attorney for property giving one of her three daughters, Caron, authority to be her substitute decision-maker. In 2016, acting under the power of attorney for property, Caron agreed to sell a little old chapel on Yonge Street in Thornhill, Ontario, which was purchased by Hermine’s late husband, Anthony Wekerle, in 1994 for….

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Family Conflict, Power of Attorney

Some American Thanksgivng Day Advice

I love the traditions of the American Thanksgiving Day holiday – spending time with family and friends, enjoying a great food and watching football. In the lead-up to Thanksgiving, the American papers are filled with all kinds of tips on how to prepare for and enjoy the big day. Whether folks are battling chaos at the airport trying to get home or struggling to defrost a turkey in record time,….

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Estate Planning, Family Conflict, Uncategorized

So, you want to be an Executor – Take Heed!

Today’s blog was written by guest blogger Wendy Templeton. Wendy Templeton practices in the area of Wills, trusts, tax and estates at LLF Lawyers LLP in Peterborough. She is a well-known author and lecturer and currently contributes to the Diploma Program of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners of Canada (STEP), and Co-Chairs the five day intensive Will, Estate and Trust Fundamentals course sponsored by the Canadian Bar Association. It is….

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Estate Administration, Executors, Family Conflict, Trustee, Wills

Estate Planning – A Lesson in Communication

So I was meeting with the beneficiaries of an estate to finalize some of the tax filings to be made. The tax filings reflected a series of transactions completed to eliminate double taxation on the disposition of some of the estate’s assets. What was causing the possibility of double taxation was the fact that my client (now deceased) had purchased a property thru a holding company, which was in effect….

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Canada Revenue Agency, Credibility, Estate Administration, Estate Planning, Family Conflict, Fiduciary Professions, Property, Real Estate, Uncategorized, Wills

Joint accounts – the good and the bad

Earlier this year, my father-in- law left us suddenly.  While my in-laws were careful about planning for this day there was still some Estate Administration Tax (EAT) to be paid on the transfer of assets between spouses.  Armed with that experience, my mother-in-law is determined pay the least amount of EAT and asked about the use of joint accounts. Jointly held property with a spouse or with one or more….

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Estate Planning, Executors, Family Conflict, Probate Tax, Tax Issues
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