Category Archives: Featured

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 … Continue reading →

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 … Continue reading →

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. … Continue reading →

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 … Continue reading →

CAPITAL GAINS ARE HANDLED DIFFERENTLY WITH FARMLAND When an individual dies any farmland they own is treated differently than land containing that individual’s principle residence. On the death of a taxpayer, farmland can be transferred (sold) on a rollover basis … Continue reading →

ODSP ELIGIBILITY AND INCOME The Ontario Disability Support Program provides eligible people with disabilities with income support to pay for living expenses such as food and housing. Eligibility for this program, as well as the amount of income support you … Continue reading →

FAMILY MEETINGS AND SECURING YOUR LEGACY A Family Meeting can be an effective component of Estate Planning. If you have a complex Estate or you will be creating an imbalance in the division of your assets amongst your children, a … Continue reading →

ALTERNATE TRUSTEES AND BENEFICIARIES Many people who seek to have their Wills drafted are adults whose children have already reached the age of majority and moved away from home. In cases such as these, many people would question the need … Continue reading →

LEGALESE IN YOUR WILL – WHY? You decide that you should have a will written to protect yourself and your assets upon your death. You decide what you want this important document to say and get lawyer to draft it. … Continue reading →

STATUTORY GUARDIAN – SECURITY BOND The Public Guardian & Trustee (“PGT”) of Ontario becomes the statutory guardian of any person in Ontario who becomes incapable without having a Continuing Power of Attorney for Property. It is possible for someone (usually … Continue reading →