The Perils of Life Insurance Designations: Case analysis of D’Onofrio v. Riley 2023 ONSC 4764
When Mr. D’Onofrio died at the age of 43, he left behind a common law partner, an ex-wife and three children. He also left behind $15,000 in assets and $462,252 in debts and made creditor-proof life insurance designations worth $1,460,000. Mr. D’Onofrio made his own Will. The Applicant, Mr. D’Onofrio’s common law partner, asked the […]
New CBC Map Reveals Extent of Federal Facility PFAS Hotspots: What It Means for Residents Relying on Groundwater Wells for Drinking Water
In our previous blog, “Canada’s Final State of PFAS Report Reveals 100+ Federal Contaminated Sites—Is Your Property at Risk?”, we reviewed the federal government’s March 2025 final State of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Report (the “Report”), which identified over 100 federal PFAS contaminated sites nationwide. Now, new CBC reporting provides critical additional insight: an […]
Understanding the Difference Between Separation and Divorce in Ontario
When a relationship ends, it is important to understand the legal distinctions between separation and divorce. While these terms are often used interchangeably, they have different legal implications in Ontario, and understanding the difference is important when planning your next steps. What Is Separation? Separation occurs when you decide to live “separate and apart” from […]
How Do I Know If I Am the Beneficiary of an Estate?
The first place to start as a potential beneficiary of an estate is to check probate records. Once a Will is probated in Ontario, it becomes a public document, meaning it can be searched at the Superior Court of Ontario. If your relative had a Will, it may or may not have been probated. Probating […]
Ahluwalia v Ahluwalia and the (Possibly) New Tort of Family Violence
The legal community, and certainly family law practitioners in Canada, continue to wait with bated breath on the impending decision from the Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) in relation to the Ahluwalia v Ahluwalia matter, and specifically, the possibility of new tort of violence. Background The parties in Ahluwalia were married in India in 1999 […]
Specific Performance Remedy Now Available in Certain Commercial Lease Disputes
You have signed a commercial lease with a landlord, but the landlord will not vacate or remove its property from the leased premises. What are you to do? You could sue the landlord for monetary damages. However, a recent Ontario case, Bellwoods Brewery Inc. v. 1896841 Ontario Limited, 2023 ONSC 2845 (“Bellwoods Brewery”), that was […]
Why Should You Consider a Charitable Bequest in Your Will?
When one considers drawing up a last Will, one of the most important decisions, if not the most important, is who the beneficiaries are. In most instances, it’s their spouse, children, grandchildren and close family and friends. Charities are also considered when testators want to gift to causes close to their heart as a way […]
How Does Divorce Work in Ontario?
Navigating a divorce is undoubtedly a challenging and emotional process. If you are considering divorce in Ontario, it is important to understand the process and what the next steps may look like for you. This blog post will guide you through the key aspects of applying for divorce in Ontario. Governing Laws Divorces in Canada […]
Canada’s Final State of PFAS Report Reveals 100+ Federal Contaminated Sites—Is Your Property at Risk?
This blog post provides a high-level overview of the federal government’s recent final State of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Report (the “Report”) and accompanying proposed Risk Management Approach for PFAS (the “PFAS Risk Management Approach”). It highlights key findings, particularly the identification of PFAS “hot spots” and federally designated PFAS contaminated sites listed in […]