In both our August 2015 and March 2016 blog posts, we discussed the importance of frequently reviewing your estate planning documents, as personal and financial circumstances can constantly change.

One of the interesting changes in our modern age when it comes to succession on death is that for many people, most of what they pass to their family and others will not be through their will...

As estate practitioners, we continually remind our clients to update their estate planning documents and ensure they reflect their current intentions.

While this winter in Toronto has been blessedly mild, colder weather makes many of us wonder why we live in a cold climate, or at least envy those who have vacation homes in warmer climates.

The family landscape is changing with increases in blended families, matrimonial breakdown and cohabiting.

In my blog distributed to you on April 7, 2020, I told readers to stay tuned as hundreds of years of strict formalities might soon change due to Covid-19.

The Ontario Government has also promised to extend the current EIR filing deadlines, essentially doubling them.

Probate is the often-dreaded process where an estate trustee receives a Certificate of Appointment of Estate Trustee which confirms their authority to administer the estate.

Starting a new year is always a good time to ensure that your personal affairs are in order, including your estate plan. Not only is it important to have an up-to-date will and powers of...

One of the benefits that a trust and estate lawyer like myself enjoys is that we deal with people of every background

Many people who live or have assets in Ontario are concerned about the amount of Estate Administration Tax (probate fees or "EAT") that will be payable on their death given the high rate of approximately 1.5% of the value of estate assets.

When a loved one passes away, whether it is expected or not, their death begins not only the process of grieving by those left behind, but also the process of dealing with what the deceased family member has left behind

One of my late husband's favourite sayings, along with putting "a rod in pickle for your own back" (the relevance of this one will become clear later in this blog, but for a history of this saying...

Overused quote alert! "Our new Constitution is now established, and has an appearance that promises permanency; but in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes."

Recent news reports concerning the compensation claimed by the executors of the estate of the late Loretta Rogers, matriarch of the telecom Rogers family, one of Canada’s wealthiest, has raised concerns for many, particularly if they have a large estate, on how much their executors can be paid.

More than half of Canadians do not have wills, according to estimates.

In Ontario, individuals may designate beneficiaries for their registered accounts—such as TFSAs, RRSPs, RRIFs, and FHSAs (see Part III of the Succession Law Reform Act, RSO 1990, c S.26 (SLRA)).

A Canadian estate with U.S. connections can face complications due to the presence of any one of a number of factors.

With increased mobility, it's becoming more common to have assets in several jurisdictions, in which case, it is important to create a comprehensive estate plan that considers all of your assets and not just the assets located where you live.

We live in a world in which personal privacy is under siege, or perhaps simply not valued as much by many as it was by prior generations.