Got Plans for Your Land? Then Check the Zoning By-Laws…
Ever wonder if the guy down the street from you is really allowed to keep a pet elephant? What about the lady who just opened a butcher shop in her garage or the religious group which has its place of worship in the community park? The use of land in a community can be a […]
Child Inheritances: A Matter of Trust
There are a number of ways that a child under 18 (referred to as a “minor”) may inherit assets. The child could: be named as a beneficiary in a Will inherit from a relative who dies without a will (referred to as “dying intestate”) if the child is one of the legal beneficiaries under the […]
Become Principal Residence Savvy!
Real estate has long been a much sought after type of investment due to its income earning potential and its historical trend of increasing in value over time. In fact, many believe they will “cash in” by holding real estate in their asset portfolio and eventually selling it for significant profits. However, there are tax […]
Does Your Estate Have Moral Obligations?
One of the many benefits of preparing a will or estate plan is the opportunity to direct how your assets should be distributed on your death. However, as each individual’s circumstances are different, your freedom to have your instructions followed may be affected by obligations your estate will eventually owe to others. Provincial legislation enables […]
Estate Planning for Marital Property
Many of my clients have expressed concern about how best to protect their or their child’s interest in a matrimonial home. The Family Law Act (Ontario) (the “Act”) is the basis of this concern. The Act aims, in part, to achieve an equal division of property acquired during marriage between legally married people when a […]
Is Your Property Up to Standard?
The City or Town you choose to live in should be beautiful and a source of pride for not only you, but all of its residents. Although beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, municipalities impose a set of rules as to how owners are to maintain their homes and properties so that our […]
RRSP Designations Within an Estate Plan
There are two common ways to designate a beneficiary of your registered plan: On the application form for the plan. This method allows for quick transfer of the plan benefits to the beneficiary upon your death. It also means that your estate will not have to pay probate fees on the value of the RRSP. […]
Understand Your Home Insurance Policy
Recently, dozens of home and business owners in Goderich suffered tremendous losses as a result of one of the most severe tornadoes to hit Ontario in 15 years. If you know you would not have the right insurance coverage to rebuild and cover your financial loss after a tornado, fire, flood or other natural disaster […]
Will Kits: Cookie Cutter Disasters
Having a will is undoubtedly an essential part of proper estate planning, yet many individuals do not make this a priority. With so many on-line gimmicks proposing quick and easy do-it-yourself will kits, it is not surprising the vast majority of people who use them do not realize the difficulties their loved ones will face […]
Powers of Attorney and Guardianships
“Powers of Attorney and Guardianships” for Woodbridge Library, Woodbridge, Canada, October 20, 2011