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The recent case of Novak v. McDougall, (2019 SKQB 261), confirms that when you have accepted an appointment to be trustee, you may not be able to have yourself removed from that appointment without a suitable replacement. The applicant in this case, a beneficiary of a “Henson” trust (basically defined as being entitled to distributions from a discretionary trust but having no vested interest in the trust assets) set up….
Can You be Removed as a Trustee Without a Replacement? Continue Reading »
Capacity Law, Contested wills, Costs, Credibility, Estate Administration, Estate Litigation, Executors, Family Conflict, Guardianship, Passing Of Trustees’ and Executors’ Accounts, Resulting Trust, Trustee, Trustee Compensation, Trustee Disputes, Trusts, Uncategorized, WillsQualifying for support under various government disability programs in the form of cash payments or benefits often means that a recipient must have income and assets below a certain level. Without careful planning an intended inheritance may unintentionally serve to cut off a beneficiary’s government support. A Henson Trust allows for the assets of the deceased to pass to a special trust, and not be counted in the disabled assets….
Henson Trusts Continue Reading »
Canada Revenue Agency, Estate Litigation, Estate Planning, Executors, Tax Issues, Wills
Today’s blog was written by Christina Papadopoulos, an articling student with de VRIES LITIGATION LLP. What is the minimum level of evidence to be met before a court allows a will challenge to proceed? The recent Ontario Superior Court of Justice decision in Naismith v. Clarke, 2019 ONSC 5280 (“Naismith”) sets out a useful overview for the circumstances under which a court may allow a will challenge to move forward…..
Meeting the Will Challenge Threshold Continue Reading »
Contested wills, Estate Litigation, Testamentary Capacity, WillsIn Bayford v. Boese 2019 ONSC 5663 the deceased Mr. Boese was the sole owner of a farm in Eastern Ontario he inherited from his parents. He never married and had no children. For two decades prior to his death, Mr. Boese was assisted in the operation of the farm by his friend, Ms. Bayford. Under a will made by Mr. Boese two years earlier, the farm property was to….
Inadequate Execution of a Will led to Court Dispute Continue Reading »
Contested wills, Credibility, Estate Administration, Estate Administration and Probate Applications, Estate Litigation, Executors, Family Conflict, Power of Attorney, Uncategorized, Wills
Bayford v. Boese is an interesting case which serves as a reminder of the statutory requirements for due execution of a will. It also provides a thorough analysis of how judges dissect a witness’ evidence and generally determine who to ultimately believe at trial. Bruce Boese (the “Deceased”) was the sole owner of a 22-acre farm in Arnprior, Ontario (the “Farm”) when he died in June 2015. The Deceased executed….
One Will, Two Versions Continue Reading »
Contested wills, Credibility, Estate Litigation, Executors, Wills
