by Timothy Sullivan, Principal We hear it all the time: “I don’t have much, so I don’t need a Will.” Preparing a Will is a conscious effort. From deciding to have one, discussing with your intended heirs, finding the lawyer you’re comfortable with and going through the appointments with a lawyer and the decision-making about […]
Engaging legal counsel shouldn’t be intimidating. We provide smart, candid, appropriate and thoughtful legal advice. Our approach is to help our client make informed decisions and find the best way to a resolution. As part of this approach, we’re part of the Collaborative Practice Ottawa network. What is collaborative law? “Collaborative Practice, also known
The law is pretty clear – which is why your Will should be, too Lawyers are often criticized for nagging clients (and potential clients, and family members, and friends) about the importance of making a Will, but it’s really just that we know, better than most, the unfortunate consequences of dying intestate. And when you’re
by Emily Murray, Litigation Associate “The ownership of a dog is a more complex and nuanced question than the ownership of, say, a bicycle.” [1] According to Canadian courts, when a couple separates, whoever paid for the pet is the owner, unless the pet was bought as a gift.[2] If the cost of buying
The advice may be good, but the financial advantage can be small. Recently we discussed what Small Claims Court in Ontario is, and what kinds of legal issues it’s designed to solve. Once an individual has decided to pursue a remedy in Small Claims Court, the next question is usually: “Do I need a lawyer
by Timothy Sullivan What is joint tenancy? Generally speaking, property can be owned either personally or jointly. Joint tenancy is when people own a property together and the right to an individual’s share of the property passes, in equal shares, to the surviving owners. (Tenants in common, on the other hand, see their share of
Common-law relationship splits have unique challenges. In the past 10 years, the number of common-law couples (non-married couples who have a household together) in Canada has continued to grow, and now comprises about 20% of families across the country. For many people, a household based on a common-law relationship is something that sort of ‘happens’.
Collaborative Law is a confidential, out-of-court alternative based upon mutual respect Collaborative Family Law differs from traditional litigation and negotiation, based in mutual respect and giving control of the process to the parties involved, not to a judge in court or the lawyers in the negotiation. Developed as an alternative to the stereotypical litigated divorce,
In another couple of months, many parents will be dropping off their kids at university for the first time. With this in mind, we’re bringing you one of our most popular articles – and one of the child-support questions we’re most often asked – on what happens to child support when the child goes to
By Litigation Associate Christine McKeating You may think that if you’ve already written your Last Will & Testament, you have your estate planning completed. However, you may be surprised to learn that Wills are not a single-task to be completed and then forgotten. In general, one’s Will needs period review so that it clearly states your
