Estate Law
Estate Law
For many Canadians, Registered Retirement Income Funds (RRIFs) and Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs) represent a lifetime of hard work. However, without precise planning, these accounts can become significant liabilities, triggering massive tax bills and fueling complex estate litigation. At Derfel…
Many people believe that getting divorced in Ontario automatically cancels their will. This is not true. While a divorce does change your will in some important ways, it does not erase it entirely. If you don’t take action after a…
Navigating the complexities of elder abuse is paramount for lawyers in Canada, particularly when serving elderly clients. The unique vulnerabilities that accompany advanced age, coupled with the intricacies of legal matters such as estate planning and guardianship, create risk for…
A Will is an important legal document; it ensures that your estate is protected, your beneficiaries are provided for, and your final wishes are respected. It also allows you to engage in estate planning to minimize probate fees and delays….
So you’re thinking about disinheriting your child. Contrary to what you and others might think, this does not make you a bad parent. Unlike in forced heirship regimes, children in Ontario have no legal right to inherit anything from their…
Assisted reproductive technology (ART) is a rapidly growing field and becoming increasingly popular with Canadian couples. ART procedures such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) (whereby an egg is fertilized in a laboratory setting and the resulting embryo is implanted into…
Often, the most complicated part of estate planning is figuring out who you want to benefit from your estate. For blended families, estate planning can feel especially complicated – after all, you’re now dealing with more family members and more…
Time and time again, we see individuals who think they don’t need a will because they don’t fit a particular mold. For example, some might think that estate planning without heirs is pointless – if you don’t have kids to…
Estate executors and trustees are appointed by a testator to carry out the testator’s wishes and administer their estate (as per their Will) after their death. As estate representatives, executors and trustees owe significant fiduciary duties to the estate and…