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When exercising discretion, what factors should a Trustee of a discretionary trust take into account?

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Maddi Thomas, Associate Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP Where a trust holds non-liquid assets that are to be distributed amongst multiple beneficiaries, how can the trustee ensure that their use of discretion was as fair, equitable, and diplomatic as possible? On a related note, when will a court interfere with a trustee’s discretion? Understanding the Scope of Discretion First and foremost, it is important that any trustee understands the scope of….

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Courts, Trustee, Trustee Disputes, Trusts, Uncategorized, Wills

The substantial compliance rules in action

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Last summer I wrote a number of blog posts that touched on the then- new “substantial compliance” rules found at Section 21.1 of the Succession Law Reform Act that came into effect at the beginning of 2022. As a quick refresher, the crux of this provision is that the Court has the authority to validate wills and codicils that are invalid due to issues with their form or execution. In….

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Still Feeling Shook Up – Presley Family Back in the News

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Last year, I wrote about the death of Lisa Marie Presley (“Lisa Marie”) and the resulting court battle between Riley Keough (“Riley”), Lisa Marie’s daughter and Priscilla Presley, Lisa Marie’s mother[1]. Thankfully, that matter was resolved relatively quickly with Priscilla resigning as a trustee of Lisa Marie’s irrevocable trust, The Promenade Trust (the “Trust”) in exchange for (i) $1M lump sum payment, (ii) the right to be buried beside Elvis….

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In the News, Trustee, Uncategorized

Indemnification of Estate Trustees and Blended Costs Awards: A Refresher

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A party needs leave to appeal when it is appealing only a costs decision. Leave was granted in the case of Pletch v. Pletch Estate, 2024 ONSC 1411 (CanLII) (Ont. Div. Crt) (“Pletch Estate”), where an estate trustee was not awarded any costs of the application.  In Pletch Estate the deceased died without a will. He had three children from his first marriage, two of whom were minors, and another….

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Transfers to a corporation can be costly. Beware of corporate attribution.

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Part III – Corporate Attribution This blog post has been written by Pritika Deepak, Associate at Fasken LLP. This is the last part of a three-part blog series which provides a high level overview of the attribution rules contained in the Income Tax Act (Canada)[1] (the “Act”). Part I, which addresses personal attribution and Part II, which speaks to trust attribution, can be found respectively at https://allaboutestates.ca/no-good-deed-goes-unpunished-by-the-cra/ and https://allaboutestates.ca/using-a-trust-watch-out-for-attribution/. Part….

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Business Succession Planning, Canada Revenue Agency, Estate Planning, Succession Planning, Tax Issues, Uncategorized

When Will an Estate Trustee Be Personally Liable for Costs?

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In Herold Estate v. Curve Lake First Nation, the Court of Appeal for Ontario varied a costs award to provide that an estate trustee be personally liable for costs. In July 2014, the Estate of William Albin Herald (the “Estate”) commenced an application claiming ownership of certain islands in the Trent-Severn Waterway (the “Islands”), on the basis that the Islands were part of Lot 35, which was owned by the….

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