In Ontario, estate trustees are held to high standards of conduct, known as fiduciary duties. Breaching these duties, even inadvertently, can lead to serious legal consequences. The Role of an Estate Trustee is More Than Just Paperwork Being named in a will as an executor might feel like an honour, but it comes with significant […]
For every Canadian, regardless of economic bracket, having a will is critical in ensuring your assets are distributed according to your wishes after your death, and that your personal and financial affairs are managed appropriately if you become incapacitated or pass away. As much as nobody wants to consider tragedy to themselves or others, it […]
In Canada, making sure you have a will and all the steps involved in getting it executed correctly is something many prefer not to think about. But the execution of a will is a critical legal procedure that guarantees that when you pass away, your assets are distributed according to your wishes. This involves a […]
People who believe they have been named in a will yet are still waiting to hear any news about the estate after a couple years may be wondering what they can do. When it comes to estate beneficiary advice in…
Parents who have accumulated a sizable amount of wealth over their lives will likely want to pass their assets on to their children when they pass away. But when an adult child’s marriage goes sideways and ends in divorce, those…
A testator may direct specific gifts, known as bequests, to certain surviving friends and family, and then leave the remainder of his or her estate to a surviving spouse or child. This remainder, known as the “residue”, typically includes items…
When a loved one passes away, surviving family members and friends may not know what the immediate next steps are to start administering the deceased’s will. The first step is to validate the will with the courts. This is known…
There are instances when an executor of a will is also a beneficiary of the will. The duties of an executor in Ontario aren’t for the faint of heart. There are many things associated with the task and having some estate beneficiary…
People who spend hours fashioning comprehensive estate plans likely want to make sure that the person or persons to whomever they leave their financial assets use them well. How to make the best use of inheritance funds in Ontario is one…
When making a will, some Ontario people want to have full control over what happens to their assets after they die — even unreasonable control in some cases. Not all restrictions or conditions will be allowed by a probate court….