Total 457 Posts
This blog post was written by: Mario Gravel, Estate and Trust Consultant, Scotiatrust Ottawa Allow me to share a story of a client interaction with you. Dear client, do you know how important it is to have a proper legal Will? Yes. Check. You also know about the peace of mind that having a proper Will provides? Absolutely. Check. Well, looks like all the ground has been covered, right? Well, not quite. First….
The Three Ds Continue Reading »
Estate Planning, Funeral Planning, WillsToday’s blog was written by Karen La Caprara, Counsel, at Fasken LLP. Pour-over clauses in wills are a staple in U.S. estate planning, used to direct estate assets into an existing trust. But in Ontario and British Columbia, these clauses can lead to invalid testamentary gifts, intestacy, and costly litigation. What Is a Pour-Over Clause—and Why Is It Problematic? A pour-over clause is a provision in a will that….
The Limits of Pour-Over Clauses in Ontario (And What to Do Instead) Continue Reading »
Estate Administration, Estate Planning, Succession Planning, Tax Issues, Trusts, United States, Wills
This blog post was written by: Rafia Babar, Associate Estate and Trust Consultant, Scotiatrust Calgary Legacy planning is not the same for every family. It is especially unique for South Asian families as it often intertwines with cultural norms, religious beliefs and deeply rooted family dynamics that differ from western culture. Understanding these cultural intricacies is essential for professionals that want to build trust and provide culturally competent services….
Legacy/Death Planning Through a Cultural Lens: Insights for South Asian Families Continue Reading »
Estate Planning, WillsI’m confident that lawyers and clerks who work with assistants will agree: legal assistants are vital to the daily operations of a legal practice. There have been a number of blogs written about the day in the life of an estate planner or a law clerk working in estates. In today’s blog, I’ve invited my assistant, Sarah Whelan, to share insights into her role and highlight the key aspects of….
The Institute of Law Clerks of Ontario recently hosted an education session on Ontario’s Estate Administration Tax (“EAT”) and the Estate Information Return (“EIR”), presented by a representative of the Ontario Ministry of Finance (“MOF”). I was particularly interested in this session as I wrote about the new online filing process for EIRs in my last blog post https://allaboutestates.ca/estate-information-return-the-new-online-process/. Today’s blog will share some of the key takeaways from….
Ontario Estate Information Return Essentials Continue Reading »
Estate Administration, Estate Administration and Probate Applications, Estate Planning, Probate Tax, Tax Issues, Wills
This blog post was written by: Holly Van Schouwen, Estate and Trust Consultant, Scotiatrust Victoria It’s a sad time, A parent has passed on and the adult children are reviewing the Will. One or more of the children are named to provide oversight in distribution of personal effects (articles). This can become a contentious issue if there are strained relations within the family. Where there is no specific language around….
Articles and Personal Effects – Oversight for Wills Continue Reading »
Estate Administration, Estate Planning, Executors, Trustee Disputes, Wills