Cautions and Certificates of Pending Litigation

by: , August 22, 2022

All too often the question of ownership over a piece of real estate is part of the larger puzzle of an estate dispute. If a party is asserting a claim of ownership over piece of real estate where they are not the registered owner, registering a caution on title or a certificate of pending litigation…read more

Dealing with Squatters in the Family Home

by: , December 9, 2020

This blog was written by Tyler Lin, Student-At-Law As all litigators know, there are two sides to every story. In the world of estate litigation, it is not uncommon for one side to view themselves as an invited guest entitled to remain in the family home while the other side views them as a squatter….read more

Can You Give A Cottage Back?

by: , December 3, 2014

It is common to find a provision in a will which allows the estate trustee to distribute assets in specie – meaning instead of selling all the estate assets and dividing the proceeds between the beneficiaries, the estate trustee may transfer the assets directly to the beneficiaries as payment in kind. Giving the estate trustee…read more

Dependant’s Relief and Competing Claims

by: , October 3, 2014

In the recent case of Cowderoy v. Sorkos Estate, 2014 ONCA 618, the Ontario Court of Appeal considered the question of how competing claims against an estate are to be appropriately balanced. Gus Sorkos and Victoria Cowderoy were in a common-law relationship until Victoria’s death in 2001.  During that time, Gus became close with Victoria’s…read more

Happy Long Weekend

by: , May 16, 2014

The Victoria Day long weekend marks the unofficial opening of cottage season.  Unfortunately, in Ontario, spring is delayed, the lakes are cold, and snow still lingers on the forest floor (trilliums be damned).  Nevertheless, a cottage case is just what the judge ordered to mark the start of the season. Clarke v. Johnson is a 2014…read more

A Child’s Interest in the Family Cottage

by: , January 27, 2007

Recently, a client came to me regarding the purchase of a family cottage.  The client was obviously excited about his new purchase, and wanted advice as to whether he should include his minor children on title.  As his children would ultimately inherit the cottage, he thought it would be a good idea to include them…read more