Commercial and Estate Litigation Blog

Death Can Cheat a Creditor

A creditor may enforce a judgment for the payment or recovery of money by garnishment. Garnishment is a procedure whereby moneys owing to the debtor (garnishee) by a third person attach directly to the creditor (garnishor). Garnishment attaches to moneys held in a RRSP. In life, there is little question that RRSP’s vest in the owner of the RRSP. At death, section 2(1) of the Estates Administration Act states that any real and personal property of a person that vests in that person during life, is transferred to the personal representative of that person at death, regardless of whether the property is disposed of by will or any other testamentary disposition.

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May An Executor Buy Estate Assets?

Executors often want to buy assets belonging to an estate. Beneficiaries often suspect the executors of wrong doing. So I often am asked whether it’s legal for an executor to buy an asset from the estate. The short answer is maybe, possibly, but not usually. it would be prudent to for all the beneficiaries to obtain independent legal advice. Furthermore, the purchase price should be somewhat more then fair market value. With all these arrows in his/her quiver the trustee might be well advised to seek preapproval of the sale from the court by bringing an application for the opinion, advice and direction of the court under Rule 14.05(3)(d), and under section 60 of the Trustee Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. T.23.

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Stopping Probate

Probate in Ontario is called "a certificate of appointment of estate trustee with a will". This article addresses what steps have to be taken in Ontario to stop the process of getting a Will probated.

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Elder Abuse in Ontario

The Ontario Network for the Prevention of Elder abuse estimates that there may be as many as 150,000 victims of Elder Abuse in Ontario. Elder Abuse can take many forms. One common form of Elderly abuse is financial. The purpose behind this blog is to provide some information to people on the first steps they might consider when discovering the problem

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First Step in Will Challenge in Ontario

The first step to challenging a Will in Ontario depends on whether probate been granted? Any person can go to the local court registrar and do a search to see if the court has granted a certificate of appointment which established the validity of the Will (Probate). If probate has not been granted then the person objecting to the will can file a form called “a Notice of Objection” with the court registrar. If probate has been granted then the person objecting to the will has to bring a motion for the return of the certificate of appointment.

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How Do I Get a Copy of Someone’s Will?

Obtaining a copy of the Will is the first step. Whether the matter involves finding out if beneficiaries were treated fairly or if there are concerns relating to the validity of a will. The most frequently asked question by a concerned party is "how do I get a copy of the Will?" This article deals with the legal avenues open to parties to obtain a copy of a testamentary document in Ontario Canada.

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Removal of Executor

In Canada, attempts to remove an executor are common. These applications are often commenced by disgruntled beneficiaries or frustrated co executors who believe that the person in charge of administering the estate is being unfair and or dishonest. The post reviews some relevant case law to examine under what circumstances an Ontario court decide to remove an executor.

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