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A notice of application marks the beginning of estate litigation proceedings. The notice of application provides an overview and outlines the precise relief sought, the grounds to be argued (including any statutory provisions or rules to be relied on) and the evidence to be relied on at the hearing of the application. As the grounds and relief sought in an application are often captured by numerous statutory authorities, a notice….

It is not uncommon for a person to execute their last will and testament many years, even decades, before they eventually pass away. It is also not uncommon for a person to move provinces, states, countries, etc. throughout their adult lifetime. In the estates context, that may result in various different scenarios in which related testamentary documents are executed in different jurisdictions. For example, a person may execute a will….

The recent decision in Lewicki v. Bascus et al., 2025 ONSC 6224 reiterates the duties lawyers and attorneys for property or personal care have to vulnerable persons. Attorneys have a duty to refrain from influencing vulnerable persons with their personal opinions to further their own self-interest. Lawyers have a duty to enforce safeguards when dealing with vulnerable clients to ensure their decisions are independent and rooted in logic. Lionel Bascus….

When there is any concern that a client cannot capably make their own decisions about their financial or legal matters, it is important for a planning professional to inform their client that a person typically cannot self-identify whether they are incapable to make decisions. That person will need to rely on others to identify whether they are capable or not, so as to protect their interests from harm. Throughout the….