Bill 168 – The Occupational Health And Safety Amendment Act
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]December 15, 2009 On December 15, 2009 Bill 168, the Occupational Health and Safety Amendment Act (Violence and Harassment in the Workplace) received Royal Assent. Bill 168 will be in effect on June 15, 2010. Bill 168 amends the Occupational Health and Safety Act to address workplace harassment and workplace violence (including a threat to exercise physical force). This […]
How Much Liability Insurance Do I Need?
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]October 30, 2009 By Brian Babcock The short answer is as much as you can afford. For most people, liability insurance comes in 2 or 3 forms – home, auto and possibly business. In each case, the liability coverage limit is the maximum amount the insurer will pay on your behalf if you accidentally injure someone, […]
What Is Personal Liability Insurance, Or Umbrella Coverage?
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]October 16, 2009 By Brian Babcock The Ontario Court of Appeal recently upheld a jury verdict which assessed damages at over $15 million dollars for a motor vehicle case. After contributory negligence, the judgment was $9.5 million. Most automobile policies provide coverage of $1 million, and often insurers will only offer a maximum of two million. […]
Tax Free Savings Accounts And Family Law
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]March 9, 2009 By Brad Smith Most people have likely heard of the Tax Free Savings Account or TFSA. They became available January 1, 2009. A Tax Free Savings Account allows you to deposit $5,000 per year and grow without paying taxes. The deposit is not tax deductible. But none of the money withdrawn from the […]
Post Separation Changes In Value
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]February 27, 2009 By Brad Smith When married spouses separate, the property settlement (known as an equalization payment in Ontario) is based upon two dates: the date of separation and date of marriage. If an asset is owned by only one spouse, this normally means the owner spouse has the benefit, or burden, of an increase […]
Landlords And Developers: Do Not Play Monopoly With Real Money
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]June 2, 2008 By Brian Babcock Developers and landlords must bear their own losses if they fail to secure a binding contract with a proposed tenant before commencing construction or renovations. Because prospective tenants often place a premium on early availability, and because rent usually does not start until the premises are usable, landlords often forge […]
The Children’s Fitness Tax Credit
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]March 11, 2008 By Brad Smith The Children’s Fitness Tax Credit became effective January 1, 2007. A parent may earn a credit of up to $500 for each child under the age of 16 years. If you use the entire credit, this represents a tax saving of $75.00 per child. An eligible program must be: ongoing […]
The Child Tax Benefit After Separation
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]February 26, 2008 By Brad Smith There are often changes that arise as a result of separation that may impact the amount of the Child Tax Benefit received. This includes that a child has started to live with you, a change in the family income or shared custody. If your spouse previously received the child tax […]
Deducting Legal Costs For Child And Spousal Support
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]February 11, 2008 By Brad Smith In certain circumstances a support recipient may be able to claim a deduction for legal costs incurred to pursue or collect child support or spousal support. The legal costs you incurred for the following reasons may be tax deductible: Legal costs incurred to obtain spousal support under the Divorce Act. […]
Support, Costs & Bankruptcy: Can A Payor Declare Bankruptcy To Escape A Costs Award?
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]February 5, 2008 By Fhara Pottinger Support costs and support are obligations that survive bankruptcy. Support is a hot issue in family law and this is unlikely to change in the near future. Occasionally parties who are ordered to pay support (“payors”) will declare, or be petitioned into, bankruptcy either in an effort to avoid paying […]