Wills

Total 460 Posts

Gifting personal effects: a useful (and heartwarming) planning strategy

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Lately, I’ve found myself having in-depth conversations with some of my older clients about what will happen to their personal effects after they pass away. Many of these clients express the same concerns: they don’t want their beneficiaries to fight over their belongings after their death, they don’t want to burden their families with difficult decisions about what to do with these possessions, they are concerned that their families won’t….

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Estate Planning, Family Conflict, Wills

Most-Read All About Estates Articles of 2025

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It is well known that Canada is experiencing one of the most significant intergenerational transfer of wealth.  With that comes growing estate planning complexity, a rise in estate litigation, and intensifying concerns about elder management and abuse.  In 2025, five blogs from All About Estates clearly resonated with professionals grappling with these challenges, drawing thousands of readers seeking thoughtful insight and guidance.  The blogs are reposted below. Separately, All About….

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Estate Litigation, Estate Planning, Executors, Wills

Holiday Reflections: The Importance of Estate and Incapacity Planning

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This blog post was written by Mohena Singh, Associate at Fasken LLP. The holiday season often brings cherished time full of gift exchanges, gatherings with family, and a break from work. Amid the festivities, it’s also an opportune moment to discuss estate and incapacity planning – a topic that, while rarely broached at the dinner table, is vital for protecting your family’s future. The cautionary tale of Vaccaro v. Vaccaro….

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Estate Administration, Estate Litigation, Estate Planning, Wills

Most Common Mistakes Individuals Make in Quebec Estate Planning

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Scotiatrust

This blog post was written by: Mina Mattia, Estate and Trust Consultant, Scotiatrust Montreal Estate planning in Quebec is often misunderstood, overlooked or postponed. Quebec’s civil law system also differs from the rest of Canada, which means that rules about wills and succession can surprise people. Here are some common mistakes individuals make when planning their estate plan in Quebec and how to avoid them.   Not preparing a Will….

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Estate Planning, Wills

Haddock v. Haddock: Interpreting a Cottage Bequest

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In Haddock v. Haddock (2025 ONSC 6287), the court was asked to interpret a clause in the deceased’s 2012 will dealing with a bequest of her cottage to one of her three surviving children. The deceased died in 2022, leaving her children as co-estate trustees. Her estate consisted primarily of the cottage and TD Bank investment accounts. The will provided a specific gift to the grandchildren, divided the residue equally….

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Estate Litigation, Property, Wills

Guarding Legacies in Blended Families: Cautionary Tips for Will Drafting

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On the left half of the image is a photo of a mother and teen walking into a dorm room. On the right side is a woman on a couch with retirement home staff.

Today’s Post written by  Ashley Thornton, Articling Student, Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP Blended families, specifically those with stepchildren, in Ontario face unique estate planning challenges which are occasionally overlooked. If not planned for expressly, this may lead to unintended disinheritance or costly litigation. Drafting with intention is therefore essential. Clear definitions, explicit beneficiary designations, and coordination of all parts of the estate plan (including beneficiary designations on registered accounts and….

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Estate Planning, Wills
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