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Posts By: Karen Watters
22 ResultsOffers to Settle and Costs Awards
In estate litigation costs awards follow the “loser pays” principle. This means that generally the party who is unsuccessful in court will be ordered to pay a portion of the successful party’s costs. (There are factors that the court will consider that could deviate from the “loser pays” principle, such as where the litigation is…read more
An Appeal Is Not A Do-Over
It is often said that in a court battle there is a winner and a loser. The court must decide which facts and evidence it prefers and which party the law favours. After a decision is made by the judge who heard the application or trial, a party may “appeal” the decision to a higher…read more
Who Has A “Financial Interest” In An Estate?
In matters and disputes involving estates, there are rules in the Rules of Civil Procedure which refer to persons who appear to have a “financial interest” in an estate. The description of a “financial interest” in an estate limits who may take certain steps in an estate dispute. One example is persons who may apply…read more
Participant Expert Evidence in Estate Litigation
In some estate litigation the evidence of an expert witness can be a critical piece of evidence. Rule 53.03 of the Rules of Civil Procedure governs expert evidence and expert reports. Section 52 of the Evidence Act addresses reports and evidence of practitioners who are identified as: (a) a member of a College as defined…read more
Accounting as Attorney for Property or Trustee de son tort
The court can grant leave to compel an attorney for property to pass their accounts under s. 42 of the Substitute Decisions Act, 1992, SO 1992, c. 30 (“SDA”). Whether or not the court will grant leave to compel a passing of accounts will be determined by considering the test set out in Lewis v….read more
Is a Formal Capacity Assessment Required Evidence?
When the court appoints a guardian of property or guardian of the person the court must make a finding of incapacity (ss. 25(1) and 55(1) of the Substitute Decisions Act, SO 1992, c 30 (the “SDA”). Often parties will obtain or seek to obtain a formal capacity assessment to provide to the court as evidence…read more
Mandatory Mediation: Where, What, Why
For more than two decades, mediation has been mandatory in certain jurisdictions in Ontario for most matters involving estates, trusts, and substitute decisions. Toronto, Ottawa, and the County of Essex are subject to mandatory mediation pursuant to and governed by rule 75.1 of the Rules of Civil Procedure, RRO 1990, O. Reg. 194. The types…read more
When You Can’t Afford a Funeral
A CBC news article published last week highlighted a mother’s grief after the death of her daughter because the family could not afford a funeral. Tragically, the body of the deceased daughter was held in a hospital freezer as the morgue was at capacity. While the CBC article mentioned financial assistance available in Newfoundland and…read more
Capacity to Grant and Revoke Powers of Attorney
The validity of powers of attorney can be challenged on the basis that the grantor was incapable when she signed the power of attorney. The requisite capacity to grant a power of attorney for property is set out in s. 8(1) of the Substitute Decisions Act, 1992, SO 1992, c. 30 (the “SDA”) which provides…read more
The Scope of Cross-Examination on an Interlocutory Motion
A deponent or affiant may be cross-examined on their affidavit sworn in support of or in response to a motion. If a question on cross-examination is not answered, then it will be deemed a refusal. The examining party may bring a refusals motion to compel answers to the refused questions should they be maintained. Sometimes…read more