Wills

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Challenging Will Challenges – Can they be estopped?

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Will challenges are the cornerstone of estate litigation; indeed, they define the practice area. The reasons for launching a will challenge are relatively fixed: lack of testamentary capacity and undue influence being the most common. Another way of challenging a will is to have it “proved in solemn form.” By seeking to have a will “proved,” the propounder of the will, usually the estate trustee, must demonstrate to the court….

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Contested wills, Estate Administration and Probate Applications, Estate Litigation, Executors, In the News, Wills

BEWARE OF HIDDEN TAX CONSEQUENCES

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A recent Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench decision in Morrison v. Morrison 2015 CarswellAlta 2249 (Alta.Q.B.) reminds advisors and clients alike of (i) the need to consider the income tax consequences of not only their overall estate plan, but components within it, and (ii) the importance of stating intention expressly and directly, particularly when one child may be benefitted more so than other children. The facts in Morrison were not unusual nor is the fact that, despite the relatively modest dollar amounts involved, the matter went to trial – an unfortunate result for all concerned…..

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Estate Litigation, Estate Planning, Family Conflict, Wills

RESIDENCY OF A TRUST – A QUESTION OF MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL II: A View from the CRA Bridge!

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Last fall I wrote about the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador being asked to rule on the specific issue of residency which would have significant tax implications to the trust depending on the Court’s determination. In Discovery Trust vs Canada (National Revenue), 201201G6615, at issue was whether a trust was a resident of Newfoundland and Labrador where the beneficiaries resided or in Alberta where the trustee was a resident…..

RESIDENCY OF A TRUST – A QUESTION OF MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL II: A View from the CRA Bridge! Continue Reading »

Canada Revenue Agency, Estate Administration, Estate Administration and Probate Applications, Estate Litigation, Estate Planning, Executors, In the News, Liability, Property, Tax Issues, Trustee, Trustee Disputes, Trusts, Wills

Are unequal bequests in wills becoming more common?

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Research in the United States has consistently shown that the vast majority of parents intend to divide their estates equally among their children (there appears to be far less research on the topic in Canada). Intriguingly, this is in contrast with inter vivos transfers – research has shown that children are less likely to be treated equally by their parents while they are still alive. The theory for this discrepancy is….

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Estate Administration, Estate Litigation, Estate Planning, Family Conflict, Wills

DYING INTESTATE AND TAX FILINGS

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If you have been a regular reader of our blogs, then I am hoping you have learnt more than a few things about estates and trusts. At the very least, I expect that you now have a will if you didn’t before with executor(s) appointed and beneficiary (ies) designated and so on. What if someone you know or know of dies intestate i.e. without a will and you are asked….

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Canada Revenue Agency, Estate Administration, Estate Administration and Probate Applications, Estate Planning, Executors, Tax Issues, Trustee, Wills

Is it time to review your Will?

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It’s a new year, and for many, with that comes new resolutions! My fellow blogger, Elaine Blades, recently encouraged those readers who are among the 50% of Canadians without a Will to add “making a Will” to their goals for 2016. If you have a Will, you may also wish to consider adding “reviewing your Will” to your resolution list if: You or your intended beneficiaries have experienced significant family….

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Estate Planning, Wills
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