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Yearly Archives: 2022
22 ResultsSearching for a will, and what to do if a will is lost or destroyed
Searching for a Will It can be difficult to know where to start when searching for a will. First and foremost, remember that a will does not necessarily have to be prepared by a lawyer. If you think the deceased may have prepared a holograph will, you will want to make sure you don’t automatically…read more
Choose Your Attorney Wisely: A Cautionary Tale
Selecting your attorney for property is not a decision to be taken lightly. An attorney for property is a fiduciary, holds a position of trust, and can do anything with your money and property that you could do yourself , except make a Will. Needless to say, your attorney should be trustworthy, financially responsible, and…read more
The Litigation Guardian
Rule 7 of the Ontario Rules of Civil Procedure, R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 194 provides, in part, that unless the court orders or a statute provides otherwise, a proceeding shall be commenced, continued or defended on behalf of a party under disability by a litigation guardian. Generally, a party under disability is a minor (i.e. a…read more
Examinations and Experts Don’t Mix
Today’s blog was written by Chris Cook, student-at-law at de VRIES LITIGATION LLP. Examinations for discovery are a key step in the civil litigation process. By allowing parties to ask questions of the opposing party and witnesses before trial, the parties are able to gain a better understanding of relevant facts and documents. After examinations…read more
What is a Guardian?
Attorneys for property and attorneys for personal care are, for the most part, generally understood in our society. That may be because the attorney for property or attorney for personal care is the role that one can grant (the “grantor”) to another through the execution of powers of attorney. The discussion about powers of attorney…read more
What is the Role of Section 3 Counsel?
If an individual whose capacity is in issue in proceedings under the Substitute Decisions Act (“SDA”) does not have counsel, the court may direct the Public Guardian and Trustee (“PGT”) to arrange legal representation for that person. Pursuant to section 3 of the SDA, the alleged incapable person is deemed to have capacity to retain…read more
The Terrifying “In Terrorem” Clause
OoooooooooOOO! It is the scariest clause around; more frightening to beneficiaries than a killer Santa “clause”. Also called a no-contest clause, an in terrorem clause translates literally to “in fear” in Latin. In the estate planning context, it is a clause which forces or prohibits beneficiaries from doing something, using the fear of a loss…read more
When Siblings Fight – Removing a co-attorney
Anybody with a sibling can tell you. Nobody gets under your skin quite like a brother or a sister can. When it comes to care in their old age, many parents will name multiple children as their attorneys for property or personal care. The sentiment is understandable. Parents may not want certain children to feel…read more
Actions vs. Applications
Generally, a court proceeding is categorized as either an action or an application. Both actions and applications end with a judge making a decision (judgment); however, an action concludes with a trial and live witnesses and an application is conducted by way of a ‘paper trial’ (i.e. no live witnesses). In both cases, judges will…read more
Cost Awards: An Example
In Canada, at the end of a court proceeding, a judge will often order one party (usually the loser) to pay a portion of the other party’s costs. Costs are awarded at the judge’s discretion. As set out in s. 131 of the Courts of Justice Act, RSO 1990, c C.43: “… the costs of…read more