Trusts

Total 213 Posts

The Benefits and Limitations of “Family Law Clauses”

This week’s blog has been written by Darren Lund Estate planning and family law intersect in numerous ways. One of the most obvious intersections between these two areas of law is the so-called “family law clause” that appears in Ontario wills, deeds of gift, and inter vivos trusts. Although the clause is ubiquitous, it is one that is easily misunderstood by lay readers of wills, deeds of gift, and trusts…..

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Estate Planning, Trusts, Wills

The Letter of Wishes: A Personal Touch to your Estate Plan

Today’s blog was written by Courtney Lanthier, Law Clerk at Fasken LLP. As estate planning legal professionals, we sometimes lose sight of how difficult and confusing reading a Will can be, often full of “legalese” and sentences that seem to go on forever. An executor reading the will may not fully grasp what it is they are meant to do and how to make the difficult decisions they are asked….

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Estate Planning, Trusts, Wills

The Limits of Pour-Over Clauses in Ontario (And What to Do Instead)

    Today’s blog was written by Karen La Caprara, Counsel, at Fasken LLP. Pour-over clauses in wills are a staple in U.S. estate planning, used to direct estate assets into an existing trust. But in Ontario and British Columbia, these clauses can lead to invalid testamentary gifts, intestacy, and costly litigation. What Is a Pour-Over Clause—and Why Is It Problematic? A pour-over clause is a provision in a will that….

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Estate Administration, Estate Planning, Succession Planning, Tax Issues, Trusts, United States, Wills

Newlands Revisited: Moving to the Appeal

This blog has been written by Darren Lund, Partner at Fasken LLP In a previous blog, I wrote about the Ontario Superior Court of Justice decision in Lang-Newlands v Newlands, 2024 ONSC 6285. To briefly summarize, the Newlands case considered a number of issues, but the key issue of interest for estate planners is the court’s analysis of an “estate freeze” transaction that occurred during the parties’ marriage. Barbara and….

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Estate Planning, Family Conflict, Separation, Succession Planning, Trusts, Uncategorized

Winner/Gagnant!!!!! Six Estate Planning Considerations For Lottery Winners

  You’ve already beaten the odds — now make sure your fortune doesn’t roll the dice without you. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of helping lottery winners turn sudden wealth into lasting legacies. Here are six key considerations to keep in mind from an estate planning perspective: Assemble a Strong Advisory Team Winning the lottery is thrilling — but it can also be overwhelming and cause immense anxiety…..

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Charitable Giving, Estate Planning, Succession Planning, Trusts, Wills

The Pitfalls of Joint Ownership: Transferor Beware

Scotiatrust

This blog post was written by Alicia Mossington, Estate and Trust Consultant, Scotiatrust London Executors in Ontario are often required to obtain a Certificate of Appointment of Estate Trustee (colloquially and historically referred to as “probate”). Although Estate Administration Tax (“probate tax”) is applicable across many jurisdictions in Canada, it is slightly higher in Ontario. This leads many people to take steps to avoid or minimize it.   Joint ownership….

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Joint Tenancy, Resulting Trust, Trusts
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