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 […]
It’s not as hard as you think I have to be honest: I’ve been a lawyer for a long time now with the gray to show for it and I’ve always thought November was the best month to be ‘make-a-will month’. The other eleven are also great months to update your Will or get to it the
Avoid family conflict over disinheritance by being upfront There are circumstances in which disinheriting a child may be reasonable, and something that the other family members may support. However, disinheriting children is one of those things that can tear a family apart if it comes as a surprise, revealed only after the parent in
by Timothy Sullivan, lawyer “Love and marriage go together like a horse and carriage…” When’s the last time you’ve seen a horse or been in a carriage? You meet, date, decide to share expenses and rent, maybe buy a house, have kids. Seems normal. And it is. Common law coupling is less about a decision
by Timothy Sullivan, Lawyer What is probate? Canadians are in the fortunate position that there are no succession duties or death taxes. However, some institutions or agencies require authentication of the last Will. This process is traditionally called “probate” so a “fee” based on the value of the Estate is payable. The probate fee is
Is that Will you wrote on a piece of notebook paper in high school still valid? Okay, we’ve talked before about how important it is to make a Will, and how important it is that your friends, family and/or lawyer can find your will when you’re not around to tell them it’s hidden at the
It’s a good time to call us. A surprising number of people do not have Wills. In fact, more than 70% of Canadians haven’t gotten around to preparing their last Will and Testament, as it once was affectionately known. More surprisingly, even a number of lawyers don’t seem to have received or acted upon the information
Lots of families have them: a sibling who can’t get it together, causes more than their share of family drama or constantly needs to be bailed out of trouble. Maybe it’s a step-sibling who feels slighted by Dad’s new wife, a brother who’s battled addiction or a sister with a sense of entitlement. Whatever
This week, our own Timothy Sullivan’s first piece for The Lawyers Weekly covers how lawyers can more successfully manage the sometimes tense situations that arise when common-law partners approach the Wills & Estates process. In the past 10 years, the number of common law couples in Canada has grown at something like four times the
A trusted confidante can be helpful in lots of ways Sometimes, a client going through a separation or divorce will ask me – usually with some trepidation – if they can bring a friend or family member to a meeting. Though we’re often taught that lawyer meetings should be ‘private’, the truth is that having
