Be Humble or Beheaded – Tips for Executors
I like to tell the executors of estates (also called estate trustees in Ontario) about kings who behaved badly throughout history. King Louis XVI held the Estates General – a widespread consultative conference – 173 years after the last one, and was put to the guillotine on January 21, 1793. King John invited the ire […]
Not-for-Profit Corporations Act (Ontario) Transition Deadline: It’s Almost Here
The Not-for-Profit Corporations Act (Ontario) or “ONCA” was proclaimed on October 19th, 2021 and provided for a three-year transition period for Ontario not-for-profits to transition to its terms from the Corporations Act (Ontario). This means that in less than two months – on October 19th, 2024 – this transition period will be completed. If your […]
Attitude and Effort: The Well-Known Secret to a Successful Term as a Summer Law Student
The first day as a summer law student can bring a lot of excitement and certainly some nervousness. That was the case for me. Any doubts subsided, however, when I too became privy to the well-known secret that success during a law student’s summer term (like most endeavours) can often be broken into two things: […]
Indicators of Financial Elder Abuse
Elder abuse, unfortunately, is a common topic of discussion amongst estate practitioners, particularly, financial abuse, the most common form of elder abuse. In broad terms, financial abuse, typically, occurs when an elderly person is coerced, unduly influenced or even coaxed into parting with money, gifts, real estate or other valuables that they might not have […]
New First-Time Home Buyer 30-year Amortization for Mortgages
The Department of Finance Canada announced on July 29, 2024 that as of August 1, 2024 the Federal Government would allow up to 30-year amortizations for insured mortgages for first-time homebuyers who purchase new build homes. The goal of the initiative is to break barriers and help put homeownership within reach for Gen Z and […]
Privacy in Employment Law – A New Supreme Court Decision
The office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada states that “individuals have a right to privacy at work, even if they are on their employer’s premises and/or using their employer’s equipment”. But, at what point has an employer overstepped an employee’s personal privacy? In the new era of technology, personal privacy in the workplace has […]
Family Adoption in Ontario: What is the Process and How Can a Lawyer Help?
Family adoption, also referred to as “kinship adoption”, is a legal process in Ontario wherein stepparents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, or great grandparents can bring an application to adopt a child. This blog post will give a broad overview of the process and explain the role a lawyer can play in assisting families as they navigate […]
The Homeowner Protection Act, 2024
Advocates of consumer protection are celebrating the Homeowner Protection Act (“HPA”), 2024, which was passed by the Ontario Legislature on June 6, 2024, banning the registration of Notice of Security Interests (“NOSI”) on title in relation to goods that are used or acquired for the primary use of personal, family, or household purposes (defined as […]
Pet Prenups: Protecting Pets in Breakups
In the realm of family law, the division of assets during a separation or divorce can be a complex and emotionally charged process. Among the many considerations, the fate of beloved pets often emerges as a contentious issue. In Ontario, pets are legally regarded as personal property, similar to furniture or vehicles, rather than family […]
