Liability

Total 35 Posts

A Brief Review of Solicitor’s Negligence

Claims against solicitors for negligence often arise in the context of estates cases, whether it be the failure of a lawyer to ensure that a testator’s wishes are accurately reflected in his/her will, to neglecting to confirm the testator had the requisite capacity and was not subject to undue influence in executing his/her last will. This blog provides a general overview of the current law of solicitor’s negligence and the….

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Estate Litigation, Liability, Wills

Ontario’s Non-Resident Speculation Tax

Recently the Government of Ontario followed the heels of the British Columbia Government by introducing a “non-resident speculation tax” (“NRST”). The NRST will apply to the purchase or acquisition of an interest in residential property located in the Greater Golden Horseshoe (the “GGH”) by individuals who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents or by foreign corporations or taxable trustees.  The quantum of tax is equal to 15% and it….

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Canada Revenue Agency, Costs, Liability, Property, Real Estate, Tax Issues

Limited Retainers, Lawyer Liability and Limitation Periods

The recent Court of Appeal (“ONCA”) decision of Meehan v. Good, 2017 ONCA 103 (“Meehan”), reminds lawyers that the duty of care owed to their clients is extensive, and may operate beyond a limited-scope retainer. In Meehan, the plaintiffs, Michael and Anne Meehan, brought a claim against their lawyer, John Cardill, who they initially retained to pursue an assessment of the accounts of their previous counsel. The Meehans sued Mr…..

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Dependant Support, Estate Administration, Estate Litigation, Estate Planning, Liability, Power of Attorney, Powers Of Attorney and Guardianship Disputes, Testamentary Capacity, Undue influence, Wills

LATE FILED ELECTION TO SPLIT PENSION INCOME

While we are on the subject of joint elections to split pension income in the year of death: What if, as trustee of the estate, you discover that the deceased and his spouse did not split eligible pension income in the years prior to his year of death. Can you late file the elections and will the CRA accept them and re-assess accordingly? Recently the CRA was asked to comment….

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Canada Revenue Agency, Estate Administration, Estate Planning, Liability, Spouse, Trustee

CAPITAL DIVIDEND ACCOUNT ELECTIONS AND THE DATE GONE WRONG?

As I mentioned in a previous blog, the capital dividend account (“CDA”) is often a central feature of tax planning for individuals with private corporations with the opportunity to make tax-free distributions to shareholders on the disposition of certain capital assets. It gains particular focus in estate planning scenarios and eventually in estate and trust administration. As I also mentioned, the management of the CDA is a tricky proposition with….

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Canada Revenue Agency, Estate Administration, Estate Planning, Investments, Liability, Property, Small Business, Succession Planning, Tax Issues, Trusts

PRINCIPAL RESIDENCE EXEMPTION AND BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP – AN UPDATE

We know that if a property qualifies as a principal residence, an exemption can be claimed to reduce or eliminate any capital gain otherwise realized on the disposition of the property. Under the Income Tax Act, one of the requirements for a property to qualify as a taxpayer’s principal residence for a taxation year is that it must be “owned” by the taxpayer. In common law jurisdictions, two forms of….

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Canada Revenue Agency, Capacity Law, Estate Administration, Estate Planning, Investments, Joint Tenancy, Liability, Property, Real Estate, Tax Issues, Trustee
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