The importance of disclosing to your Wills and Estates Lawyer At the commencement of drafting the client’s Last Will and Testament, I am often asked, “Do I really need to provide you with all this information? I just want a…
Marriage, Divorce and Revocation of the Last Will & Testament Marriage results in automatic revocation of one's Will save and except in clear circumstances where one's Will was made in contemplation of the marriage. The contemplation must be evidenced in…
Custody & Guardianship of Minors & Minors' Property Provincial legislation in Ontario allows for the appointment of custodial parents for minor children in case of death, and also allows the appointment of guardians of the child(ren)'s property. Custody of Minors…
The Last Will & Testament (Form and Substance) Most people know that a Will allows one's property to pass to one's beneficiaries in accordance with one's wishes, absent which, Ontario legislation dictates the disposition of one's estate. Wills also allow…
Joint Ownership Co-owners of real property and certain types of personal property can own such property as either "joint tenants" or as "tenants in common". While joint tenants have identical and indivisible proportions, durations of interest, and identical rights of…
Living Wills: Questions and Answers 1. Q: What would a Living Will typically consist of? A: A Living Will tends to form part of a more comprehensive estate planning document known as the Power of Attorney for Personal Care. The…
No Such Thing as a Simple Will For most people the task of accounting for all that they own and deciding how and to whom such assets are to be transferred upon their deceasing is a daunting task. That said,…
Power of Attorney for Personal Care I. Power of Attorney for Personal Care: What is it? A Power of Attorney for Personal Care is a legal estate planning document which appoints an individual with decision making power to be exercised…
The Executor: Basic Questions and Answers 1. What is an executor? An executor is a person or company that shall represent the estate of a deceased with respect to matters of administration such as: burial arrangements; the collection of debts…
Beneficiary Designations Beneficiary designations allow assets (of a certain class such as RSPs, life insurance proceeds, and other registered investments allowing for beneficiary designation) (hereinafter the "Qualifying Assets") to pass directly to beneficiaries outside the terms of a Last Will…
