Simple Probate Application Service and Fee

ARE YOU AN ESTATE TRUSTEE THAT NEEDS PROBATE?

Gilmore and Gilmore offers a straight forward, and cost effective Probate Application service for Estate Trustees / Executors who are otherwise willing and able to administer the Estate they are charged with overseeing. Continue reading

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Basecamp for Law Firm Project Collaboration

BASECAMP PROJECT MANAGEMENT BRILLIANCE

Basecamp is a web-based project management tool that was created in 2004 by 37 Signals.

Utilizing Basecamp in a legal setting offers many unique opportunities. The one that really excites us at Gilmore and Gilmore is the ability to create projects for each of our clients then invite them to participate. Now rather than having to go back and forth exchanging communications filling our inbox with updated versions of assorted documents, we are able to consolidate the work in one place. Continue reading

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Accessing Bank Accounts of the Deceased

BANK OF CANADA – DORMANT ACCOUNTS

If a bank account is not used for a prescribed period of time, the dormant account is transferred to the Bank of Canada. If you want to determine whether or not there are dormant accounts in the name of the Deceased, you will need to contact the Bank of Canada so that they can inform you of the legal documentation they require to process your claim. Continue reading

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Formal Execution of a Will

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FORMAL EXECUTION OF A WILL

There are specific requirements in Ontario, set out in legislation called the Succession Law Reform Act (SLRA), that govern how a Will is to be executed in order to make it valid. These requirements are quite rigid and a document that does not comply with them may very well be found to be invalid. Continue reading

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Ontario Disability Support Program and Inheritance

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ODSP AND INHERITANCE

How will an inheritance impact your income support from ODSP?

Any money, property or possessions that you receive can affect your eligibility for, or the amount of money you receive from, Ontario Disability Support Program. This includes anything you may inherit from someone who has passed on. Some inheritances will be exempt and will not have an effect on your ODSP eligibility or amount. Continue reading

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Estate Planning and Separation

SEPARATION AND THE IMPACT ON ESTATE PLANNING

It is important to review your estate planning upon separation from your spouse. Separation by itself will not have an effect on your Will or the distribution of your estate. Some of the things to consider and discuss with your lawyer are:

  1. You should consider revoking your Will and Powers of Attorney and making new ones right away, and possibly another Will when matters with your spouse are resolved;
  2. If you do not have a Will, you should consider preparing one;
  3. If you own property with your spouse as joint tenants, including your matrimonial home, you should consider the advisability of severing the joint tenancy;
  4. You should consider changing your beneficiary designations for life insurance policies, RRSPs, etc. Continue reading
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Bequeathing a Farm in Your Will

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BEQUEATHING A FARM IN YOUR WILL

The transfer of farmland, by sale, gift or other form of transfer, is generally subject to HST unless it falls into one of the exemptions found in Schedule V of the Excise Tax Act. One such exception is found in section 167(2), which determines that:

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Appointment of Guardians of Children in Your Will

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GUARDIANSHIP – WHAT ARE THE LIMITATIONS?

Parents who have children under the age of majority will naturally want to provide for them in their Wills. In addition to arranging their inheritance, most parents will want to name a guardian for their children should both parents die at the same time or if a parent is in a single-parent situation. Continue reading

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Forcing an Executor to Account

FORCING ACCOUNTS

Executors of an estate are required to disclose the value of an estate and to document as well as explain the accounting of the estate to all beneficiaries.

Beneficiaries of an estate often complain that they are not provided with information concerning the value of an estate or the accounting. In some cases they are asked to “sign off” on the estate without knowing in advance what their share of the estate is and how it was determined. Continue reading

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Incorporating Your Business: Liability Considerations

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LIABILITY AND BUSINESS INCORPORATION

There are many positive reasons to incorporate your business or professional practice. The main reason lawyers recommend clients consider incorporating is to limit personal liability with respect to the corporation’s actions. Unlike a sole proprietorship or a partnership, a corporation is a separate legal entity. Often shareholder’s liability exposure in a corporation is limited to the amount they have invested in the corporation, thereby protecting their personal assets. Continue reading

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Automatic Revocation of Wills

AUTOMATIC REVOCATION OF WILLS IS MANDATED BY LAW IN ONTARIO

There are situations where a validly drawn will can be automatically revoked with no express intention on the part of the owner of the Will. The two most common situations where this occurs are marriage and divorce.

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