Uncategorized

Total 679 Posts

A Gift is a Gift

We often write about the benefits (and some pitfalls) of gifting, before and after death. Personally, when I recommend gifting, I assume that unless there are specific outcomes required to realize on the gift, a gift is exactly that, a gift – something transferred voluntarily without expectation of getting it back because you changed your mind.  A recent court case appears to support this assumption. According to Johnston v. Song, 2018….

A Gift is a Gift Continue Reading »

Charitable Giving, Estate Planning, Family Conflict, Investments, Probate Tax, Property, Real Estate, Separation, Spouse, Uncategorized

French Elvis has Left the Building

Johnny Hallyday, referred to as the “French Elvis”, leaves behind a string of ex-wives and disappointed beneficiaries.  His recent death has resulted in litigation over his multi-million dollar estate, with the central issue being whether French or California law governs the distribution of his estate. It is not uncommon for Ontarians to have property in another Canadian province or in another country.  Depending on the type of property, law other….

French Elvis has Left the Building Continue Reading »

Uncategorized

TRUST REPORTING: NEW REQUIREMENTS COMING SOON!

Under the current rules, a trust only needs to file an annual tax return but generally does not need to file the return if it does not earn an income or make any distributions in the year. (Notwithstanding that the Canada Revenue Agency has increased its demand for “nil returns” to be filed under certain circumstances). Further, there is currently no requirement for the trust to report the specific identity….

TRUST REPORTING: NEW REQUIREMENTS COMING SOON! Continue Reading »

Canada Revenue Agency, Estate Administration, Estate Planning, In the News, Tax Issues, Trustee, Trusts, Uncategorized, United States

Biking Around With Dementia

I was intrigued  by the following headline “How a stationary bike, paired with Google Street View, helps seniors with dementia”  so decided that this would be the start of this morning’s blog.  One of my preferred themes is dementia and the impact it has on everyone.  No surprise as “dementia is the greatest global challenge for health and social care in the 21st century: around 50 million people worldwide have….

Biking Around With Dementia Continue Reading »

Uncategorized

The Tax on Split Income: Round Three

On March 22, 2018 the Minister of Finance released the budget implementation bill for the 2018 federal budget (“Budget Bill”), which was tabled on February 27, 2018. The Budget Bill contains some helpful amendments to the second iteration of the tax on split income (“TOSI”) rules that were released on December 13, 2017. The explanatory notes for the Budget Bill were released separately on April 5, 2018. The changes fall….

The Tax on Split Income: Round Three Continue Reading »

Uncategorized

Frida Kahlo’s Barbie – Life in Plastic, Not so Fantastic

This Blog was written by: Peter Meitanis Here’s a question you never thought you would read in an estates blog: Where’s the unibrow? Last month, Mattel, the maker of Barbie introduced a group of new dolls based on real-life figures to celebrate International Women’s Day. The collection features inspiring women past and present, including Frida Kahlo, the Mexican artist famous for her self-portraits and works inspired by the nature and….

Frida Kahlo’s Barbie – Life in Plastic, Not so Fantastic Continue Reading »

Estate Administration, Uncategorized
Scroll to Top