de VRIES LITIGATION LLP had the pleasure of attending and presenting at the 29th Estates and Trusts Summit on October 20, 2026. The program canvassed a wide range of timely issues for estate litigators. Below is a brief overview of some of the discussions that stood out: AI and Privilege Peter Askew, Miller Thomson LLP,
Estates disputes do not always stay neatly within the boundaries of estates law. A dispute involving a power of attorney or the administration of an individual’s property can quickly give rise to other claims, including allegations of breach of fiduciary duty, negligence, or defamation. When that happens, what is the best way to move the
A recent Saskatchewan case highlights how will challenges vary by province to province as does the evidentiary threshold required under each jurisdiction. For example, in Saskatchewan, an applicant/challenger must go through two levels of hearings; a threshold Chambers hearing (a judge reviews the written record to determine if there is sufficient merit in the application
In April 2026, I wrote about the decision in Kunka Estate v. Giasson, which considered whether resulting trust principles apply to beneficiary designations on registered accounts such as TFSAs and RRIFs.
The impact AI has on the legal practice continues to evolve and be examined by the Court. While arguably a useful tool in some instances, the Court has yet again warned counsel of the risks of using AI in written materials filed, and its patience is wearing thin. In the recent case of Kapahi Real
