Trustee Tip
January 9, 2017 The Ontario Court of Appeal’s decision in Cahill v. Cahill demonstrates several valuable lessons for those who agree to be an executor or trustee. The facts in Cahill probably represent a common scenario. Through his Last Will and Testament, a father appointed his son and daughter as executors. The Will required a trust to […]
Family Feuds And Estate Mediation: Serious Problem Meets Possible Solution
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]July 15, 2015 By Fhara Pottinger Is your family on the verge of a serious breakdown due to events that came out of someone’s Will or Power of Attorney? Are people taking sides? Have conversations become screaming matches? Has everyone descended into a tense silence? You may be in the midst of an Estate dispute. Disputes […]
Straight Talk About Estate Planning – Honesty And Your Lawyer
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]January 20, 2015 By Fhara Pottinger One of my greatest challenges as a lawyer is ensuring that my client has told me everything that I need to know. My clients are generally not holding back out of malice or some intention to deceive me but rather a desire not to “waste my time”, to keep their […]
Straight Talk About Estate Planning For Pets
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]October 17, 2014 By Fhara Pottinger For many of us, pets are beloved members of the family. Unfortunately, anyone who has worked in animal rescue can tell you that far too many beloved family pets end up abandoned and in shelters after their owner dies. If that pet is older or requires any form of medical […]
Beneficiaries: Protecting Your Benefits
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]July 2, 2014 By Paul Jasiura Beneficiaries under the Will of a friend or relative often anticipate that they will receive their inheritance very shortly after the death, and are disappointed or annoyed by how long it is taking for the estate trustee to send the cheque. They then ask us what they can do to […]
Straight Talk About Wills
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]May 26, 2014 By Fhara Pottinger You’ve been meaning to do it for ages. Get a Will. Perhaps some Powers of Attorney as well. It ends up on your “to do” list many times, often for several years. But finally, now is the time, you are going to get it done. The appointment is made and […]
There’s A Reason They Call It Legal Services…
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]May 5, 2014 “$99 Wills”, the headlines scream. They have not come to Thunder Bay yet, but soon, perhaps. What’s the catch? Simple – these low prices reflect the view that legal services are commodities or consumer goods. And even more – that they are all the same. At Weilers, our clients are not merely […]
The Electronic Commerce Act And Life Insurance Beneficiary Designation
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]May 30, 2012 The introduction of the Electronic Commerce Act has been important in addressing advances in technology and the ever-growing reliance on electronic communication. It is now possible to enter into contracts that are entirely electronic. As a side note, the Act does not apply to the following documents: wills and codicils; trusts created […]
Disabled Beneficiaries And Discretionary Trusts
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]January 11, 2012 By Paul Jasiura Do you have disabled children? or grandchildren? or others who are or could potentially become beneficiaries of an interest in your Estate? Are your present plans of Investments and Life Insurance in danger of simply replacing Government Benefits otherwise available to these children or grandchildren? Are you aware of the […]
Registered Disability Savings Plan And Ontario Disability Support Program
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]January 5, 2012 One in every ten Canadian families is affected by a disability. Depending on the nature of the disability and the person’s financial status, he or she may be eligible to receive government assistance to help with various costs of living or even to help with saving for the future. The following are […]