Trustee

Total 150 Posts

Principal Residence Exemption and some of the “What if’s”

In my last blog, I wrote about the role of “beneficial” ownership in the determination of whether a property qualifies for the principal residence exemption. With an acknowledgment to Keith Masterman of “Advisor.ca”, I thought I would take the opportunity to write about some other “what if’s” and how the exemption may or may not apply. As an executor or trustee, you may encounter these scenarios and it might be….

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Canada Revenue Agency, Cottage, Estate Administration, Estate Planning, Executors, Investments, Joint Tenancy, Property, Real Estate, Tax Issues, Trustee, Trusts

When Business Agreements Masquerade as Trusts

Trusts are tricky – they can arise in circumstances where none of the parties involved ever use the word “trust.” There is good reason for this; often the settlor of the trust and the trustee are laypeople who can describe the type of relationship they wish to create, but are unaware of the legal terms to describe it. If a lawyer does become involved, she will likely set the terms….

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Trustee, 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

Serving the Charitable Purpose

I want to float a trial balloon about charitable trusts. A clause stipulating that a trust should be limited to using income for charitable purposes, meaning that capital is untouchable, should be viewed as an administrative clause and not part of the charitable objects. The charitable purposes of the trust may be perpetual, but making the trust “income only” is a historical drafting convention that no longer serves the charitable….

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Estate Planning, Philanthropy/Charitable Giving, Trustee, Trusts

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

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
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