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Posts Categorized: Estate Administration
78 ResultsWhat Do You Mean? Testamentary Intention and the Interpretation of Wills
In the legal world, “testamentary intentions” refer to a person’s wishes for the administration of their estate and distribution of their assets after death. The last will and testament (often referred to simply as a “will”) is the document which sets out the testator’s (i.e. the person who signed the will) testamentary wishes. Problems arise…read more
Punitive Damages Against Estate Trustees Can Happen
The fiduciary relationship should not be entered into lightly. Examples of fiduciaries in estates and trusts law are estate trustees, attorneys, and guardians. The fiduciary owes legal duties to the beneficiary, for example an estate trustee must account for her management of estate assets. Failure to do so can lead to trouble for the estate…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
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
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
Mirror Wills and Mutual Wills: Cooperative Estate Planning
For many, marriage represents the intermingling of lives, families, and assets. It can also mean coordinating estate plans. Two common forms of coordinated estate plans are mirror wills and mutual wills – both are particularly useful if the couple have children, either together or from prior relationships. Knowing the difference between these two types of…read more
Searching 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
Can a Will Outline Be Admitted to Probate?
Sections 3 and 4 of the Succession Law Reform Act, R.S.O. 1990, c S.26 (“SLRA“) set out requirements for a valid Will in Ontario. The document must be in writing, signed by the testator, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses who watched the testator sign the document. But can the mere outline of a…read more
Holographic Wills and Incorporation by Reference
In Re Lacroix Estate, 2021 ONSC 2919, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice considered whether a testator’s handwritten note could incorporate by reference the testator’s unsigned but initialed typewritten Will. Facts On May 19, 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 lockdown, Rebecca Stephanie Lacroix contacted a solicitor, Margaret Opatovsky. Ms. Lacroix advised that she…read more