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Avoid Becoming Part of a Statistic

LawPro recently released its report concerning Wills and estates malpractice claims as of the end of 2022.  As we approach the busy year end, I thought it would be helpful to remind practitioners of the most common errors and some risk management tips in that regard. Interestingly (and perhaps somewhat surprisingly), most issues stem from things at occur before or at the initial client meeting. Things that contribute to problems….

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Estate Planning, Liability, Uncategorized, Wills

The Gift of Peace of Mind: Estate Planning during the Holiday Season

  As the holiday season approaches, our thoughts naturally turn to gift-giving, festive gatherings, and the joy of spending time with loved ones. Amidst the holiday cheer, it is important to recognize the profound gift of peace of mind that comes with a well-considered estate and trust plan.  While estate planning may feel like a weighty or taboo subject, the holidays offer an opportune moment to broach the subject and….

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Uncategorized, Wills

Scholarships and Other Educational Awards

[caption id="attachment_20501" align="aligncenter" width="413"] CHRIS MEYER/INDIANA UNIVERSITY — Wikipedia[/caption] Student awards are one of the most popular charitable purposes, especially in estates.  Donors often strongly identify with the life changing benefit of direct educational funding to students.  Named scholarship funds are often named and constitute part of the donor’s legacy. Educational awards are such a popular purpose that there are numerous providers.  Of course, there are schools, colleges and universities….

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Estate Donations, Estate Planning, Philanthropy/Charitable Giving, Uncategorized

Non-Resident Beneficiary and Part XII.2 Tax

It’s not uncommon for a trust or an estate to have a non-resident beneficiary. When such a situation arises, trustees should consider whether Part XII.2 tax applies. Essentially, Part XII.2 imposes a 40% tax on the non-resident beneficiary if the trust or estate earns designated income that would, if earned directly by a non-resident, be taxed under Part I of the Income Tax Act (the “Act”). Its purpose is to….

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Tax Issues, Trusts, Uncategorized

Factors to Consider when Rebutting the Presumption that a Lost Will was Destroyed by the Testator

Today’s blog was written by Jonathon Vander Zee, student-at-law at de VRIES LITIGATION LLP The original copy of a last will and testament is lost and cannot be found… now what? Losing an original copy of a will does not necessarily mean that it is no longer legally binding or invalid. Where a copy of the original will exists, a party may make an application to the court to have….

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Estate Administration, Estate Administration and Probate Applications, Estate Litigation, Uncategorized

Right of Survivorship or Severance of a Joint Tenancy… Which One Prevails?

Today’s blog was written by Jonathon Vander Zee, student-at-law at de VRIES LITIGATION LLP What happens when the right of survivorship in a property is gifted, but the donor then severs the joint tenancy of that same property? This was exactly the case in Jackson v. Rosenberg, 2023 ONSC 4403. The answer is quite riveting: the severance of the joint tenancy only eliminated the right of survivorship in the donor’s….

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