Family Conflict results in Long-Term Estate Litigation over Secret Trust and Mutual Wills Agreement
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Family Conflict results in Long-Term Estate Litigation over Secret Trust and Mutual Wills Agreement

Family life can be complicated, especially when it comes to entitlement to finances. In some cases, conflict looms so large that it causes significant hardship when someone dies and their estate is administered. In a case before the Ontario Court of Appeal earlier this year, a family’s conflict led to lengthy litigation regarding the establishment…

Estate Law Terminology
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Estate Law Terminology

Estate planning can be a difficult task, but it’s even more difficult when you don’t fully understand the terms used in this area of law and how they relate to you. In this blog post, we’ll discuss some of the key terms that will be helpful to understand if you’re planning a will or if…

Powers of Attorney in Ontario – What you need to know

Powers of Attorney in Ontario – What you need to know

If you’re making a will in Ontario, you’ll be asked to appoint a power of attorney. Power of attorney allows someone to make personal care and financial decisions on your behalf should you become incapacitated. Of course, there are some nuances and details worth considering: what kind of assets can this person manage on your…

Britney Spears’ Father Loses Role In Conservatorship

Britney Spears’ Father Loses Role In Conservatorship

Over the Spring and Summer of 2021 we wrote articles for our blog covering pop star Britney Spears’ attempt to remove her father from his role in her conservatorship. The very public court battle involving Spears, who was once arguably the most famous pop star in the world, serves as a good example of how difficult it can be…

Court Finds Neighbour Breached Fiduciary Duty

Court Finds Neighbour Breached Fiduciary Duty

Being named the power of attorney for someone’s property or personal care is a significant responsibility and one that should not be taken lightly. Having power of attorney for property means you are responsible for decisions related to someone else’s property, including their bank accounts and physical property. This is usually done when someone is…

Family Can’t Agree On Who Should Manage Mother’s Finances

Family Can’t Agree On Who Should Manage Mother’s Finances

When someone becomes incapable of managing their own affairs, whether financial or personal, they may have someone appointed as power of attorney for them. There are two types of powers of attorney. The first is for personal care, in which someone is responsible for the person’s day-to-day wellbeing, including decisions related to health. In addition,…

Britney Spears’ Conservatorship Makes Headlines After Documentary

Britney Spears’ Conservatorship Makes Headlines After Documentary

When we discuss issues such as powers of attorney, we often speak of them in relation to elderly people who are unable to take care of themselves or their finances, or sometimes children who need a trustee to look after these matters until they become legal age. However, as seen in recent headlines, these types…

Mother Tries To Reverse Course On Gift Of Home

Mother Tries To Reverse Course On Gift Of Home

“No take-backs” is something you might expect to hear on a playground full of children. But the regret of giving something to somebody can also occur amongst adults. In a recent decision from the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, the plaintiff told the court she didn’t intend to give her house to her daughter but later sought…