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Yearly Archives: 2023
31 ResultsRule 49 Settlement Offers
As lawyers, we try to encourage our clients to take a reasoned and reasonable approach when it comes to pursuing (or not pursuing) ongoing litigation. There are times when there is no choice but to resolve a dispute in court, and there are times when settlement is the best avenue. However, when and on what…read more
Dead or Alive? It May Take Seven Years to Determine
Doing the work of an estate trustee can be demanding and thankless. It usually involves endless paperwork and multiple visits to the bank. However, the job is made much more difficult when it is unclear whether the deceased is, in fact, dead. While it may seem obvious, death is usually confirmed by examining a body….read more
Blended Costs Awards in Estate Litigation
Costs follow the event. This can be translated as the “loser pays” principle which has applied in estate litigation for many years now (since at least the seminal decision in Salter v. Salter Estate, 2009 CanLII 28403 (ON SC), decided by Justice D.M. Brown, as he then was). But in estate litigation there is often…read more
The Consent and Capacity Board
Capacity is often a key component of estate litigation, especially in the context of guardianship and attorneyship disputes. These fights are, for the most part, heard before the Superior Court of Justice. And yet, there is an administrative board with ‘capacity’ built into the name – the Consent and Capacity Board (“CCB”). What is the…read more
When Will a Court “Combine” Separate Proceedings?
Litigation is complicated, and parties sometimes end up getting involved in a multitude of separate, but nevertheless related, proceedings. When this happens, and depending on the circumstances, courts may choose to “link” or “combine” the related proceedings, for the sake of efficiency and overall convenience. Rule 6 of the Rules of Civil Procedure deals with…read more
Dispensing With or Substitution of Personal Service
Personal Service An originating process is the very first document which allows either a plaintiff in an action, or an applicant in an application, to commence legal proceedings. Service of an originating process serves the important function of providing notice of the legal proceeding to those parties involved, and to other persons who could be…read more
Am I a Spouse? The Mystery of Spousal Benefits
Under the laws of Ontario, certain rights and benefits are conveyed to a “spouse.” However, there is not a universal definition of “spouse”: whether you qualify for spousal benefits depends on the governing statute. Below is a summary of some of the most common rights and benefits sought by a “spouse” on the death of…read more
Lost or Destroyed Wills
Sometimes original last wills and testaments can become lost or destroyed. But the original is required for an application for a certificate of appointment of estate trustee, or is otherwise needed to establish the authority of the estate trustee(s) or gifts in the will. Rule 75.02 of the Rules of Civil Procedure, RRO 1990, Reg…read more
Probating vs. Interpreting Wills: What’s the Difference?
In the good ol’ days (before the 90’s), Ontario had two separate courts which were responsible for handling matters relating to wills and estates: the Surrogate Court and the Superior Court. The Surrogate Court had strict jurisdiction to deal with probate matters, such as determining whether a will was valid. In contrast, questions about the…read more
Compelling a Guardian or Attorney to Account
Attorneys of property must keep detailed records of their management of the grantor of the power of attorney’s (the “grantor”) affairs. The reason for this is so they may pass their accounts when needed. While some attorneys may periodically pass their accounts without prompting, others may not. This can be frustrating for others who care…read more