3 Minute Read Charitable gift planning is catered to individuals who would like to gift to charities and non-profit organizations in their lifetime and/or after passing. Once an individual identifies what charitable cause or organization they wish to support, they can incorporate charitable gifts in their estate plan through various charitable vehicles, such as: In […]
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2 Minute Read Probate refers to the legal process by which the Court recognizes the official appointment and authority of the estate trustee to administer the deceased’s estate, whereas estate administration refers to the entire process in which the estate trustee settles and administers the deceased’s estate. Learn more about the estate administration process in
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3 Minute Read Estate litigation covers a wide variety of legal disputes that can arise regarding the administration and settling of a deceased person’s estate. Let’s discuss below. Unlike other areas of law, proceedings in estate litigation are often conducted by way of Application rather than Action (a trial). Although, some proceedings by application can
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3 Minute Read Following a family member’s death, disagreements over the provisions of the deceased’s Will can lead to estate litigation. In today’s article, we provide a brief overview of the different kinds of claims that can made against Wills, including Will challenge claims, interpretation & rectification claims, and most recently, claims made under s21.1
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2 Minute Read Sometimes, an individual may pass without creating adequate support provisions in their estate plans for individuals who are financially dependent on them right before death. In these cases, the dependent individual may pursue a support claim against the estate. In this article, we discuss what these support claims are, who may be
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2 Minute Read Capacity (or decision-making capacity) refers to the legal ability of an individual to make decisions about their lives and give consent. All individuals over the age of 18 in Ontario are legally presumed to be capable of making their own decisions. This presumption can be rebutted by the facts of each particular
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4 Minute Read When an individual is mentally incapable of making certain decisions, they may require a legally authorized substitute decision-maker to make them on their behalf. A guardian is one type of substitute decision-maker who is authorized by the Court or the Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee (OPGT). In this article, we
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2 Minute Read There is a lot more to estate planning than simply creating a Will or Power of Attorney. In today’s article, we outline all of the possible components that can be included within an estate and substitute-decision plan. In combination, these various components can work together to ensure our wishes are fulfilled during
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2 Minute Read If you have an older adult in your life, such as a grandparent or an aging parent, it is important to raise self-awareness of elder abuse as it is often considered an underreported ‘hidden’ crime, many times occurring behind closed doors and at the hands of ‘trusted’ people. According to Elder Abuse
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Elder abuse is defined as an act or omission that causes harm to a senior or jeopardizes his or her health or welfare. Elder abuse can take place in the home, in a residential setting, or in the community. The perpetrator can be a stranger, caregiver, or family member, but studies show that abuse usually
SWEATMAN LAW FIRM OAKVILLE
217 Speers Rd, Unit 14
Oakville, ON, L6K 0J3
Phone: 905.337.3307
Fax: 905.337.3309
SWEATMAN LAW FIRM GEORGETOWN
145 Mill St.
Georgetown, ON, L7G 2C2
Phone: 905.337.3307
Fax: 905.337.3309
