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The Charity Capacity Gap

Canada’s 85,896 registered charities have wide-ranging capacity, but these variations are often underappreciated.  Estate donors – and their professional advisors – often focus on cause and tax status, but ignore organizational health indicators like history, funding, staffing, and governance.  What should estate donors look for in a charity? Although all registered charities can issue donation tax receipts, not all charities can handle significant estate donations or receive more complex assets. ….

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

SOME TAX TIPS IN THE COVID ERA

Our epidemiologists and public heath officers are warning us gently that the dreaded virus will be with us for awhile. Nevertheless, we are all hoping that our economy will recover soon (and to some extent our financial markets have), but it appears asset values in general may be depressed for some time to come. In this context, there may some some opportunities to free up some cash flow and/or reduce….

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Business Succession Planning, Canada Revenue Agency, Estate Planning, In the News, Investments, Property, Real Estate, Small Business, Tax Issues, Uncategorized

The Impact of Medical Assistance in Dying on Life Insurance and Some Other Mentionables

A question that I have heard asked a few times recently is: How would Medical Assistance in Dying (“MAID”) affect my life insurance policy?  It’s an interesting question and certainly something that should be considered in the context of estate planning where the proceeds of a life insurance policy play a significant role in the estate plan and the client has a medical condition where MAID may become a possibility…..

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Gift Ideas for the Freshman in the Family

This Blog was written by: Alicia Godin, Estate and Trust Consultant, Scotia Wealth Management As we approach mid-August, many students (and parents) have turned their minds to the new school year. Although this year post-secondary education may look slightly different for many students with the switch to online learning, it is nevertheless a milestone worth celebrating. This author has taken the liberty of compiling some gift ideas for young adults….

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Power of Attorney, Property, Uncategorized, Wills

Beware of the “Zombie” Deed

In Thompson v. Elliott Estate, 2020 ONSC 1004 (CANLII), the Court considered the validity and effect of a “zombie” deed signed by a transferor while alive in order to convey an interest in land, but not registered on title until after the transferor’s death. The Facts: Alitha Elizabeth Elliott and Byron Thompson lived in a common law relationship from 2008 until they married in 2014. Each had adult children from….

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Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way: Virtual Witnessing and Undue Influence During COVID-19

This blog was written by Lara Besharat As the pandemic trudges on, jurisdictions are bowing to pressure, allowing for what was once a rigidly fixed process to be done virtually. In Canada, a will historically required the physical presence of two witnesses alongside the testator to be considered valid. However, due to social distancing guidelines, changes have had to be made. One by one, Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Nova….

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Contested wills, Uncategorized, Undue influence
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