Wills, Trusts & Estates
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December 06, 2023
Overview of estate freezes
Tax planning and the succession of a family business are closely intertwined. As family business owners contemplate the transfer of their enterprise to the next generation, one of their primary goals is often reducing the tax implications associated with the transfer. An effectively devised tax strategy plays a pivotal role in safeguarding accumulated wealth from the family business for both the current owners and their successors.
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December 05, 2023
Inquiry into foreign interference with federal elections gives standing to 22 groups, individuals
Justice Marie-Josée Hogue, the Quebec Court of Appeal judge who heads the commission of inquiry into foreign interference in federal electoral processes and democratic institutions, has green-lit 22 groups and individuals to participate as parties or interveners in the public inquiry, disclosing she also expects to issue a decision soon on requests for funding for lawyers applied for by some of those who were granted standing.
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December 05, 2023
More male than female applicants for federal benches rated ‘highly recommended’ by JACs in 2022-2023
The Liberal government appointed a few more women than men to the federal benches in the past year, although men were rated “highly recommended” by the country’s 17 independent judicial advisory committees (JACs) a bit more often, according to annual data disclosed by the Office of the Commissioner for Federal Judicial Affairs Canada.
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December 04, 2023
Probate planning and joint ownership, part two
As we discussed in the first article in this two-part series, probate planning is a common topic of discussion between Ontario estate planning lawyers and their clients. There are several often-used strategies that can reduce exposure to probate fees on an individual’s death. That said, the suitability of each strategy must be assessed on a case-by-case basis. This article continues looking at a case that discusses one of these strategies — joint ownership.
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December 01, 2023
Probate planning and joint ownership, part one
In Ontario, probate planning is a common topic of discussion between estate planning lawyers and their clients. There are several often-used strategies that can reduce exposure to probate fees on an individual’s death. That said, the suitability of each strategy must be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
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December 01, 2023
Power of sale rules in mortgage enforcement industry in Ontario, part three
This is the third instalment of a series on the rise of power of sales properties in Toronto.
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November 30, 2023
How lawyers, paralegals can complement each other
Lawyers are licensed to provide a full range of legal services. However, certain tasks can be managed with greater cost efficiency through the involvement of skilled paralegals. Law firms that foster such collaboration stand to benefit as their clients gain access to a diverse array of services at affordable rates.
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November 30, 2023
Power of sale rules in mortgage enforcement industry in Ontario, part two
This is the second instalment of a series on the rise of power of sales properties in Toronto.
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November 28, 2023
Power of sale rules in mortgage enforcement industry in Ontario
It is the end of the line for homeowners who will experience a power of sale (contractually or statutorily), judicial sale or a foreclosure.
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November 27, 2023
Court exempts legal advisers from reporting clients’ tax affairs until Charter challenge determined
Legal advisers across Canada, including Quebec notaries and Ontario paralegals, do not have to comply with constitutionally-impugned Income Tax Act (ITA) mandatory reporting obligations with respect to clients’ tax avoidance, following the Federation of Law Societies of Canada’s (FLSC) success in obtaining a nationwide interlocutory court injunction until its Charter challenge to last June’s ITA amendments is determined.