Thursday, May 06, 2021 @ 2:08 PM
Estate planning around U.S. citizenship: Step one, confirm status
In order to provide clients with a well-rounded estate plan, it is critical to know if your client or his or her intended beneficiaries are U.S. citizens. Citizenship is not always obvious to determine. It’s possible for a person to be a U.S. citizen without knowing it. ... [read more]
Wednesday, May 05, 2021 @ 8:35 AM
Decision highlights major difference between B.C., Ontario estate laws
On April 7, 2021, the British Columbia case of Jung v. Poole Estate 2021 BCSC 623 was released. In this decision, the testator who had disinherited his daughters in his last will and testament, had his will varied by the court which resulted in the adult daughters being awarded 70 per cent of his estate. ... [read more]
Tuesday, May 04, 2021 @ 1:16 PM
Federal budget: Impact on charities and not-for-profits
This article provides a brief summary of some of the key proposals in federal government Budget 2021 (the budget) that impact charities and not-for-profits (NFPs). ... [read more]
Monday, May 03, 2021 @ 2:50 PM
B.C. court declares parentage order for parent in polyamorous relationship
On April 23, a B.C. court ordered that a second mother in a polyamorous triad relationship be declared a legal parent. British Columbia Birth Registration No. 2018-XX-XX5815 2021 BCSC 767 is the first case of its kind in B.C. and groundbreaking, not only for polyamorous relationships, but also for the evolving legal concept of parentage. ... [read more]
Monday, May 03, 2021 @ 2:31 PM
Wellness: Think before you act on social media | Darryl SingerSocial media can be an excellent way to market your practice, meet a spouse or reconnect with old friends with whom you’ve lost touch. I have done all three and continue to do two of those (having already met my spouse). It is fast becoming the primary way to obtain the daily news. However, as we have seen from the events of the last year, it is also a way to let the entire world know your political, social and medical views. If, like me, you have teenagers in the house, you also know that social media can be used to waste copious amounts of time on nonsense. ... [read more]
Monday, May 03, 2021 @ 9:11 AM
Two new partners for Fasken in MontrealFasken announced that two new partners have joined its Montreal office: Kristian Zimmerman and Yoni Feingold, becoming members of the corporate/commercial and litigation and dispute resolution groups, respectively. ... [read more]
Friday, April 30, 2021 @ 1:46 PM
Paying stiff price for breach of fiduciary duty
A recent decision of the British Columbia Supreme Court, Sarzynick Estate v. Skwarchuk 2021 BCSC 443, serves as a reminder of the importance of testamentary documents, and the serious consequences that may flow where an executor breaches their duties. ... [read more]
Thursday, April 29, 2021 @ 2:34 PM
Ontario estate law gets an overdue update
Major legislative changes in estate law are rare. However, we appear to be on the cusp of just such a change in Ontario. On Feb. 16, the Ontario government introduced the Accelerating Access to Justice Act, 2021. Bill 245 has passed first reading and been referred to the Standing Committee on the Legislative Assembly. ... [read more]
Wednesday, April 28, 2021 @ 8:33 AM
Cox & Palmer adds two associates to St. John’s officeCox & Palmer announced that associates Atanu Haldar and Alexander Jessome have joined the St. John’s office. ... [read more]
Friday, April 23, 2021 @ 1:50 PM
The court backlog: Is this access to justice? | Jasmine DayaMy articling student walked into my office with her head lowered, barely able to make eye contact with me as she said, “I’m sorry Jasmine.” It was not her fault that the presiding master at motions court denied our request to add a litigation guardian to the action. ... [read more]
