Whether you own a cottage, a family home, or any other high-value asset, working with an experienced estate lawyer to craft clear, specific, and regularly updated instructions is not just good practice — it is essential. 22 Mar

Why Cottage Estates Are a Breeding Ground for Family Conflict

When valid, no contest clauses can be a powerful tool for discouraging estate litigation. Typically, these clauses threaten to disinherit beneficiaries who challenge the validity of the testator’s final will... 18 Mar

Can a Beneficiary Be Disinherited Over a Successful Litigation?

"Some businesses remain in the family. Others do not. Business owners might muse about succession within the family unit. However, musings do not always give rise to enforceable promises." 04 Mar

Succession Planning for a Family Business Can Be Tricky

A recent decision of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice provides a stark reminder that unsuccessful litigants—particularly those who advance self-interested claims—may be ordered to pay millions of dollars in costs personally. 27 Feb

Ontario Beneficiary Held Personally Liable for Legal Costs

Administering an estate can be challenging at the best of times. But what happens if a beneficiary simply refuses to engage, leaving the estate stuck for years? 27 Jan

An Estate Stuck in Limbo: Beneficiary Refuses to Engage

While informal verbal agreements may seem convenient and cost-effective at the time they are made, they all-too-frequently lead to disputes down the road. 21 Jan

Informal Verbal Agreements Frequently Lead to Estate Disputes

If you are considering when —or if— you can challenge a will in Ontario, it is important to understand that not every disagreement leads to a successful claim. Ontario courts respect testamentary freedom... 10 Jan

When Can You Challenge a Will in Ontario?

To determine whether the photocopy could be admitted, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice applied the "four-part legal test for admitting a lost will" and found that all four criteria were satisfied... 20 Oct

Ontario Court Ruling: Photocopy of Lost Will Deemed Admissible

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