Transferring Assets into Joint Names and the Impact on Estate Planning
There can be a variety of reasons why someone might choose to transfer a solely-held asset into joint names. For example, a child might be assisting a parent to manage their finances — the child is added to bank accounts or investment accounts or a parent thinks that since they will be giving their home […]
New Year, New Beginnings
A quick Google search of the words “January” and “divorce” will lead you to several articles about the spike in separations and divorces in the month of January. Whether or not January is actually the month which sees the most marital breakdowns, it is undoubtedly true that the month following the holidays is a time […]
Is Your Personal Injury Settlement Protected in the Event of a Family Law Claim?
In the event of a separation, there will be an equalization of the property that was accumulated during the marriage. What does this mean for individuals who are separating and who received a personal injury settlement during the marriage? The answer is – it depends. How the settlement is treated will be determined by the […]
Demystifying Powers of Attorney: Powers of Attorney for Personal Care
Appointing a Power of Attorney for Property and for Personal Care is an important part of any estate plan. Unlike a will, Power of Attorney documents are for use when the grantor is still alive; an Attorney loses the authority to act upon the death of the grantor. In Ontario, Powers of Attorney are governed by […]
Demystifying Powers of Attorney: Powers of Attorney for Property
Appointing a Power of Attorney for Property and for Personal Care is an integral part of any estate plan. Unlike a will, Power of Attorney documents are for use when the grantor is still alive; an Attorney loses the authority to act upon the death of the grantor. In Ontario, Powers of Attorney are governed by the […]
Technology and Family Law – How Technology Can Help You Co-Parent
When one household turns into two following a separation, there are many adjustments for parents and children to make. Everyone is adjusting to a new reality, new schedules and new ways of communicating with each other. Below we have listed different tools which, when used effectively and appropriately, can help to ease the transition into […]
Estate Entitlements Upon Death: Does it Matter if You are Married?
The misconception that common law partners have the same rights as married couples is not uncommon. Despite the similarities between common law and married couples, the two relationships are not always treated the same under the law in Ontario. This blog post sheds light on the inheritance rights upon death of a married spouse versus […]
Married vs Unmarried: What’s Mine is Not Necessarily Yours
One of the biggest differences between married and unmarried couples relates to the division of property in the event of separation. Along with marriage comes the right to a special regime of property division. The matrimonial home Defined under the Family Law Act as the home that was ordinarily occupied by the married spouses as […]
Married vs Unmarried: Not All Spouses Are Equal
The misconception that common law partners have the same rights and obligations as married couples is not uncommon. Despite the similarities between common law and married couples, the two relationship are not treated the same in Ontario for all family law purposes. Misconception #1 “Common Law” After One Year of Cohabitating No single definition of […]
