Bank Seeks To Hand Money Over To Court With Estate Trustee Appointment Up In The Air

Bank Seeks To Hand Money Over To Court With Estate Trustee Appointment Up In The Air

When someone dies, particularly if they die without a will, there could be various parties who want to position themselves as executors of the estate or as beneficiaries of the estate. Determining what happens in these situations can take a considerable amount of time, particularly if the matter goes to litigation. In the meantime, other…

CRA Issues Reminder About Managing Taxes For Deceased Individuals

CRA Issues Reminder About Managing Taxes For Deceased Individuals

Being named the person responsible for probate and estate administration can be a daunting task. Being named as an executor comes with significant responsibilities as well as personal legal and financial liability. This alone is one of the reasons we suggest it’s critical to meet with an estates lawyer when tasked with these responsibilities. From time to…

What Happens To Your Cryptocurrency When You Die?

What Happens To Your Cryptocurrency When You Die?

With cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin becoming more popular for both professional and curious personal investors, it’s a matter of time before questions around what happens to someone’s cryptocurrency become larger issues for those in the world of estate law. Questions around how cryptocurrencies are defined by the government, how they are taxed, and what happens…

Can Decision Be Appealed Despite Death Of One Of The Parties?

Can Decision Be Appealed Despite Death Of One Of The Parties?

The law is a funny thing sometimes in that the issues in a trial could impact future litigants, or perhaps even the law itself. This means that even if a legal dispute is no longer relevant to the parties involved, a court may still decide to hear the matter. However, such is not always the…

Flexibility During COVID-19, But Witnessing Rules Still Have To Be Followed

Flexibility During COVID-19, But Witnessing Rules Still Have To Be Followed

The introduction of the COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario has led to huge changes in the ways we do things. While the legal world can be slow to adapt to change, Ontario’s estate planning rules adopted fairly quickly to make ways for people to sign and witness wills. Prior to COVID-19, a testator could gather with…

Ontario Introduces Simplified Process For Small Estates

Ontario Introduces Simplified Process For Small Estates

The Ontario government is enacting changes with the aim of making small estates easier and less costly to manage. This will likely come as good news to people who may be intimidated by the idea of being named executor to an estate, especially at a time when they may already be dealing with the grief…

A Widow Struggles To Get Late Husband’s Digital Assets From Apple

A Widow Struggles To Get Late Husband’s Digital Assets From Apple

Digital media is something that was probably an afterthought, if a consideration at all, just a generation ago. However, a person’s digital assets are an important consideration today, and the story of an Ontario woman engaged in a four-year battle with Apple over her late husband’s digital files is a great example of why careful…

Estate and Insurer Disagree Over Whether False Statements Disqualify Claim

Estate and Insurer Disagree Over Whether False Statements Disqualify Claim

“The devil is in the details” is an old saying that applies to many areas of life, including the law. In many situations, legal disputes boil down to one party’s interpretation of a single line or word in a contract. Estate litigation is not exempt from such occurrences. Take for example a recent decision from the Ontario…