Your New Home Is Not Perfect — And That’s Okay. Here’s What to Do About It.
Buying a brand-new home in Ottawa or Eastern Ontario is one of the most exciting milestones of your life. After months — sometimes years — of saving, planning, and waiting, the day you finally get the keys feels like everything you worked for coming together at once. But here is something I have learned after two decades […]
Ontario Court Clarifies When Not-for-Profit By-Law Changes Require a Special Resolution
If your Ontario not-for-profit corporation is updating its by-laws, a recent court decision has clarified that some by-law changes require a two-thirds vote of the members – not a simple majority. In Chifor et al. v. Windsor/Essex County Humane Society, 2026 ONSC 667, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice held that certain by-law amendments affecting […]
Putting Your Trust in the Right Person: Tips for Choosing an Executor in Ontario
One of the most common questions during our initial client meetings. Choosing an executor (also known as a “personal representative” or “estate trustee”) is an important decision when creating your estate plan in Ontario. Here are some factors to consider when choosing your executor: Trustworthiness: Your executor will have significant responsibilities, including managing your assets, […]
Is only a spouse able to claim as a dependant? Did a recent decision expand it to children?
The short answer is “no” – it is not new law. However, it is very fact specific. I talk about this when I teach estate planning: Beware who may be able to claim dependant relief due to your actions. What you do during your lifetime has an impact when you pass. You may only want […]