A successful dependant support application requires clear, detailed and credible evidence. This article explores these requirements, highlighting key principles from recent case law. 15 Oct

Burden of Proof: Building a Strong Dependant Support Claim

Estate disputes rarely arise from money alone. They are often triggered by conflicting instructions, unclear drafting, or overlooked provisions. The best protection is clarity, coordination, and regular review. 02 Oct

Ambiguous Wills: How Fragile an Estate Plan Can Become

In What Circumstances Can an Attorney for Personal Care Restrict Visitors from Visiting an Incapacitated Person in a Long-Term Care Home? 23 Sep

Can a Power of Attorney for Personal Care Restrict Visits?

Conditional bequests are provisions in a will that make an inheritance contingent on a beneficiary fulfilling specific requirements. These conditions must be clear, possible, and not violate public policy or the law to be valid.  08 Sep

Conditional Bequests: Criteria for Legal Validity

Recent Ontario Court of Appeal decision provides an important lesson to farming families and their professional advisors: good intentions and family loyalty, while laudable, are no substitute for clear, enforceable agreements. 05 Sep

Court Decision: Important Lesson for Ontario Farming Families

It is important to clearly document and communicate intentions when making either a loan or a gift to a family member. Sometimes we assume a verbal agreement is sufficient but having clear written documentation removes uncertainty and mitigates the risk of disputes arising after the fact. 05 Sep

A Family Feud Unwrapped in Court: Gifts vs Loans

Even if AI tools produce legal documents that look valid, the risks are obvious. Can the court step in and fix errors in an AI-generated Will? 04 Sep

Testator Intent: AI Generated Wills Lack “Proof & Context”

This summer, the Montana Supreme Court had to weigh in on a modern question: can a selfie video serve as a person’s last Will? The short answer was no. Stories like the Montana case can be useful teaching tools. They help illustrate that intent is only half the battle—validity is the other.  28 Aug

Selfie Video Last Will and Testament? Still a Step Too Far!

Landmark Supreme Court of Canada decision, from 1991, established principles for proving undue influence in trust cases: the Geffen v. Goodman family and trust estate dispute... 28 Aug

Landmark Supreme Court of Canada Decision: Undue Influence

Ontario Court Ruling: Funds transferred to deceased's Daughter were "valid inter vivos gifts" and not subject to a resulting trust. 30 Jul

Court Rules in Favour of Daughter: the Validity of Inter Vivos Gifts

A Cautionary Tale in Will Drafting and Limitation Periods... When Does the Clock Start Ticking? 28 Jul

A Cautionary Tale in Will Drafting and Limitation Periods

Recent Ontario Court of Appeal ruling reaffirms the modern cost approach in estate litigation: trustees who fail in their duties may not only be removed but may also bear the personal financial burden of their choices. 22 Jul

Personal Liability for Costs Due to Breach of Fiduciary Duty: Ontario