Spouse

Total 79 Posts

A Gift is a Gift

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We often write about the benefits (and some pitfalls) of gifting, before and after death. Personally, when I recommend gifting, I assume that unless there are specific outcomes required to realize on the gift, a gift is exactly that, a gift – something transferred voluntarily without expectation of getting it back because you changed your mind.  A recent court case appears to support this assumption. According to Johnston v. Song, 2018….

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Charitable Giving, Estate Planning, Family Conflict, Investments, Probate Tax, Property, Real Estate, Separation, Spouse, Uncategorized

Domestic Contracts After Death

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Interesting things happen when family law and estates collide. Battles over domestic contracts and houses lead to discussions of past mistakes, life experience, and occupation rent. Such was the case in Psarros Estate v Cook. As with many estates litigation cases, the Court was asked to determine a broad range of issues. Three issues in particular should be of interest to estate litigators. The Marriage Contract Mr. Psarros and Ms…..

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Contracts, Estate Litigation, Joint Tenancy, Spouse, Succession Planning

SPOUSAL SUPPORT AND BEYOND?

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I was traipsing thru some estate journals and articles recently and I stumbled upon the reporting of a recent matrimonial case which gave me pause, and to many practitioners in estate and matrimonial matters, I am sure. Practitioners have long held the view that entitlement to spousal support under most matrimonial settlements do not survive the death of the spouse receiving the support.  As one Justice noted in a recent….

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Contracts, Estate Administration, Estate Litigation, Estate Planning, Executors, In the News, Separation, Spouse, Uncategorized

Capacity Evaluation of an Expressed Choice

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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

Tidbits from the CRA

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Earlier this week I had the pleasure of attending STEP Canada’s 19th National Conference, where I, along with over 700 other trust and estates professionals from across Canada, had the opportunity to hear from engaging and thought-provoking speakers on a diverse range of trust and estates topics. One of the plenary sessions every year at the Conference, which attendees particularly anticipate, is the STEP Canada/CRA Round Table, where senior representatives….

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Spouse, Tax Issues, Wills

Separation and Divorce: Implications

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Separation and Divorce: Implications[1] In Ontario, there are significant implications when a couple (both common-law and married) separates and when a couple divorces. As more and more couples live in common-law relationships as well as the rate of divorce in this day and age, it is important to consider the following implications.  Separation – Common-Law Partners: Support: For common-law couples, a partner may be able to apply for support if….

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Separation, Spouse
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