Court Need Not Always Order a Fiduciary to Account

by: , September 4, 2013

In an earlier blog by fellow blogger Jasmine Sweatman, she commented on the emerging principle of proportionality in our judicial system and how it might impact on a fiduciary’s duty to pass accounts.  She queried: Where does proportionality “fit” with the right of a beneficiary of an estate or trust  to review and make inquiries of the…read more

Enzo the Mixer

by: , August 8, 2013

May an attorney for property mix his own funds with that of the incapable person? The short answer is: never. But the consequences for a well-meaning but ill-advised client might not be as dire as we litigators sometimes would expect. In the recent case of Villa v. Villa 2013 ONSC 2202, two brothers, Renzo and Enzo Villa, clashed…read more

Do You Need A Lawyer to Make a Will?

by: , July 22, 2013

Among the general public, there is a perception that despite being a legal document, creating a will does not require the services of an estate solicitor.  There are numerous do-it yourself kits and online services that offer a “fill in the blanks” approach to creating a will.  As an estate litigator, I usually see when…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

When is a Loan a Gift?

by: , February 28, 2006

A father’s intention to gift his children a substantial amount of money and benefit a favoured charity at the same time, albeit indirectly, was at the centre of a recent case decided by the Tax Court of Canada.  The case in question is Benquesus v. Canada [2006] T.C.J. No. 149.  Gift giving has never been…read more