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Tag: <span>wills</span>

Estate Litigation: Using Technology to Adapt

I recently blogged about how the Court has adapted and modernized in response to the unprecedented challenges caused by COVID-19. Since my last blog post, the Court released a series of notices, with new practice directions. You can access the Condolidated Notice to the Profession, Litigants, Accused Persons, Public and the Media (May 13, 2020) […]
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Virtual Witnessing of Wills

By Liza Saad: The circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic have prompted many to think about writing their Wills or making changes to existing Wills. However, during a time of social distancing and self-isolation, the legal requirement that a Will must  be signed in the physical presence of two witnesses posed a major challenge. In response […]
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What’s the “issue” with not updating your will?

by Matthew Rendely On Monday, May 1, 2017, the Honourable Douglas K. Gray of the Superior Court of Justice in Ontario held in the case of Henry Koziarski, as Estate Trustee of the Estate of Jadwiga Koziarski v Jesse Sullivan, 2017 ONSC 2704, that Jesse Sullivan (“Jesse”) did not fall under the class of  “issue” as defined in […]
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Mutual Wills v. Mirror Wills

by Robin Spurr Robin Spurr recently presented at the Ontario Bar Association’s program entitled “Managing Family Conflicts in Estate Administration”.  The following is Robin’s commentary on the mutual will doctrine and how it was applied in two recent decisions; Rammage v. Roussel Estate and Lavoie v. Trudel. The doctrine of mutual wills is not widely understood and is often […]
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Estate Planning – Digital Assets

by Mitchell Rattner When meeting with a lawyer to discuss estate planning, most often the client will consider the dispositions of his/her real property, personal possessions, business interests, and other investments. Proper consideration also needs to be given to the extent and nature of the client’s digital assets. Almost everyone has a digital presence, but every […]
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Spence v. BMO Trust Company: the case of the racist father

by Robin Spurr, Published: February 27, 2015 The recent decision in Spence v. BMO Trust Company raises very interesting questions about testamentary freedom and the power of the courts to remedy wills which contravene public policy. In this case, the testator, Rector Emmanuel Spence, executed a will which disinherits his daughter Verolin in favour of his estranged daughter, […]
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Top 5 Wills, Trusts and Estates Firms in Canada

by Jovan Cvejic, Published: January 30, 2015 We are very excited to announce that Schnurr Kirsh Oelbaum Tator LLP has been named one of the Top 5 Boutique Wills, Trusts and Estates firms in Canada by Canadian Lawyer magazine!  The list is compiled and voted on by lawyers across Canada.  We are grateful to our peers […]
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