A power of appointment is a highly effective and flexible estate-planning tool that allows a person you trust to decide how certain property will ultimately be distributed often long after …
Court Refuses to Release Joint Sale Proceeds Pending Full Estate Hearing
Vaccaro v. Vaccaro, 2025 ONSC 6521 A recent Ontario Superior Court decision serves as a strong reminder of the risks involved when joint tenancy is used for “probate planning,” particularly …
When “Maybe” Is Not Enough to Make a Gift
Hugginson v. Hugginson (2025 ONCA 902): A recent decision of the Ontario Court of Appeal confirms a simple but powerful estates law principle: Background Two sisters became embroiled in litigation …
Removing an Estate Trustee
In recent years, Ontario has seen a noticeable increase in Court scrutiny of Estate Trustees and more frequent applications seeking their removal. While beneficiaries may feel frustrated when estates are …
Who Is a “Child” on Intestacy?
Foster Children and Ontario Estate Law Ontario’s intestacy rules are statutory and unforgiving. A recent decision of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice confirms that even a lifelong parental relationship …
How Corporate Insurance Can Be Used to Reduce Tax in a Canadian Corporation
Many Canadian business owners accumulate significant retained earnings inside their corporations. While this can be a sign of success, it often leads to a familiar problem: how to grow or …
Seller Passes Away Right Before Closing
Question: Buyer and Seller enter into an Agreement of Purchase and Sale. It is unconditional. The contract remains in place as set out in the “Successors and Assigns” paragraph. Is …
Understanding Probate and Probate Fees in Ontario
When someone passes away, one of the first legal issues that arises is whether probate is required and, if so, how much it will cost. Probate is a common and …
Testamentary Freedom in Ontario
Liability to Dependants Testamentary freedom is a foundational principle of estate planning in Ontario. Clients generally have the right to decide how their assets will be distributed on death, and …
Corporate-Owned Life Insurance: A Powerful Tax Strategy for Business Owners
Corporate-owned life insurance (COLI) has evolved into one of the most tax-efficient planning tools available to Canadian business owners, incorporated professionals, and private corporations. While advertisements often summarize the concept …