Category Archives: Blog

NO WILL AND NO OBVIOUS HEIRS? NOW WHAT? Contrary to popular belief, the government does not automatically take the assets of a person who dies without a will leaving no spouse or children to inherit. The Succession Law Reform Act … Continue reading →

ESTATE ADMINISTRATION – CPP SURVIVOR’S PENSION If your spouse contributed to CPP, you may be eligible to receive a CPP survivor’s pension. To qualify you must be the legal or common law spouse of the deceased. The amount of the … Continue reading →

NON-CONTINUING POWER OF ATTORNEY FOR PROPERTY If your Power of Attorney does not specifically indicate that it is a Continuing Power of Attorney for Property or say that it allows the people you name to continue to act for you … Continue reading →

ESTATE PLANNING – DOES YOUR LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT PREDATE 1978? Was your Last Will and Testament made before March 31 1978? Then read THIS! If your Will: a. Was made before March 31, 1978; b. provides for some of … Continue reading →

WHY USE MEDIATION INSTEAD OF LITIGATION? Estate litigation is becoming increasingly popular in Ontario. Estate litigation relates to many different aspects of an estate including: Whether or not the deceased had the capacity to make a Will; Whether someone forced … Continue reading →

POWER OF ATTORNEY FOR PROPERTY WITH ONLY ONE WITNESS Prior to 1995 the law did not require 2 witnesses to a Power of Attorney for Property. The law was changed in 1995 to require 2 witnesses. Provided a pre-1995 Power … Continue reading →

WRITING YOUR OWN WILL IS REFERRED TO AS A HOLOGRAPH WILL Contrary to popular belief, an Ontario Will may be valid even if there are no witnesses to the Will. If a Will is made entirely in the handwriting of … Continue reading →

MORTGAGE PREPAYMENT PENALTIES If you have a closed mortgage and you sell your property (or refinance it) you will be charged a prepayment penalty. The amount of the penalty will be determined by the terms of your mortgage. In Ontario … Continue reading →

IT IS BECOMING MORE DIFFICULT TO USE A POA TO CLOSE A REAL ESTATE DEAL People who are buying or selling a house may consider having a Power of Attorney so someone else can sign for them if they are … Continue reading →

ESTATE ADMINISTRATION – ESTATE INVESTMENTS An Estate Trustee (Executor) is required to be careful with estate investments. If the Last Will and Testament of the deceased person gives specific authority to make certain types of investments, an executor can make those … Continue reading →