An executor must administer the estate with diligence, respond to reasonable inquiries from beneficiaries, and take the Court process seriously. Where those duties are not met, the Court has shown that it is prepared to order costs personally... 24 Jul

What Happens When An Executor ‘Ghosts’ The Estate?

Choosing the right estate trustee —at the planning stage— can be one of the most important decisions a testator makes. This case serves as a cautionary tale of what can happen when an estate trustee fails to appreciate the seriousness of the role... 03 Jul

Cautionary Tale: When Poor Administration Comes at a Cost

With many estates being administered over extended periods —by older spouses, siblings, or peers— the risk that an executor becomes incapable is very real and foreseeable. Planning for incapacity at the drafting stage is key... 26 Jun

What Happens When An Estate Executor Becomes Incapable?

Before you set up a living trust, make sure you’re positive that it’s the right tool for your particular situation. Learn more in this step-by-step guide to setting up a living trust in Canada… 18 Jun

How Do I Set Up a Living (Inter Vivos) Trust in Canada?

Discretionary trusts can be an effective way to provide for beneficiaries without granting them fixed entitlements. However, these structures can create uncertainty for beneficiaries... Understanding the legal framework is critical for both sides. 21 May

Ontario Guide to Discretionary Trusts and Beneficiary Rights

Paris Jackson has gone public with allegations that the longtime trustees of her late father’s estate have been misappropriating funds and mismanaging one of the most valuable entertainment empires in history. 08 May

Jackson Estate: Is Michael’s Daughter Receiving Terrible Advice?

Every inherited commercial property with tenants comes with lease obligations that transfer with the building, not with the person. The estate steps into the landlord role immediately. 21 Apr

Inherited Commercial Property with Tenants: Guide for Heirs & Executors

An understanding of the legal framework governing estate and trust distributions provides the necessary context for examining why fiduciaries may choose to postpone disbursements. 11 Apr

Frequently Asked Questions About Delayed Distributions

If you are a trust beneficiary in California, the law stands behind you. You have specific, enforceable rights that a trustee cannot ignore, sidestep, or delay. If your trustee has treated you unfairly, here's what you need to know... 02 Apr

Your Rights as a Trust Beneficiary in California

While courts are generally reluctant to interfere with a testator’s choice of estate trustee, that choice will be overridden where it is necessary to ensure the proper, efficient, and impartial administration of the estate. 23 Mar

Feuding Siblings Replaced By Neutral Third-Party Estate Trustee

New Study Finds "Women Are Trusted Most" to Manage Crises and Estates in Canada 03 Mar

Critical Life Decisions: Women Trusted Most

This guide explains how Canada taxes estates at death, what executors and beneficiaries need to know, and why professional advice is critical. 17 Feb

Estate and Inheritance Taxes in Canada: Complete Guide