Question 5 Is there real estate? Real estate is always a headache. Executors must keep real estate insured for fire and valuable contents. You must secure and inspect property. Can you change the locks? Can you access estate funds to pay insurance premiums? What if there is…
Read full article
Question 4 Do You Have a Conflict of Interest? Are you an estate executor and also an estate beneficiary? This is not, generally, a conflict of interest. But consider the circumstances below. How many different hats do you wear? One hat may be as executor wanting to…
Read full article
Question 3 Will there be lawsuits? Are you an Ontario estate executor? You must know this. How people interpret wills can lead to disagreements which are inevitable. Even in the best families, people don’t always agree. Disagreements can cause people to hire lawyers. You may be involved…
Read full article
Question 2 Can you handle the executor job? Should you renounce if you are 83 years of age and living 3,000 miles away? Do you have health problems? Why risk your health with the stress of administrating an estate? Consider renouncing. Arguing with people over estate problems…
Read full article
Question 1 Is the Estate Broke? Most executors find being an executor is more work than they expected. No one ever warned them before they got involved. People wished they knew how much trouble being an executor was. Before you act, here’s what to ask first: Q…
Read full article
Being an executor may be an honour but it is also a job. It is a job you are not legally obligated to accept. Ask these questions about your risks. If you’re worried, seek legal advice about your options. Estate advice may reassure you or you may…
Read full article
Three times a year I update this published text. With permissions, I have posted this Publisher’s Note. What’s New in the May 2021 Release • Chapter 16: Will Challenges In Magnotta v. Magnotta, 2020 CarswellOnt 1096, 2020 ONSC 316 (Ont. S.C.J.), the court stated estate creditors that have no financial interest…
Read full article
Mediation is confidential and all discussions are off the record. You can create your solution and not wait for a judge to decide. You can express and deal with emotional issues. You can find shared visions to obtain desired results. You are empowered by an early resolution…
Read full article
Here’s Chad’s story about handling an estate when he couldn’t find a will. He became an Ontario estate trustee without a will. Keep reading about our hero, Chad, if you need to handle an estate without a will. Chad was feeling overwhelmed. He had just been told…
Read full article
Read Part 1 and Part 2 of my posts in this series. What if you become incapacitated, or an illness prevents you from handling your finances? What will you do? If you don’t have a power of attorney to handle your property, your loved ones must get…
Read full article
416 769 - 9800