Life insurance is usually a contract between the insurance company and the policy owner (holder) that requires the insurer to pay an amount to the beneficiary (a third party) on the death of a person (who may or may not…
In Ontario there is a common-law rule of thumb that the executor of the estate has one year from the date of death to wrap up the estate; that is collect all estate assets, pay all estate debts and liabilities,…
Is someone refusing to show you the Will made by the deceased? If so, you have rights. However, how to enforce those rights depends on the status of proceedings. There is no obligation to provide a copy of the Will…
Ontario law provides that someone who was dependent on the deceased can made a claim against the estate for support separate and apart from what the dependent might inherit (under the Will or under the laws of intestacy). When successful…
It is not uncommon to be unable to locate a Will for the deceased. Sometimes, you can be left completely in the dark as to whether you simply cannot locate the Will or whether the deceased actually did not have…
Equalization is the division of the net family property following the breakdown of a marriage either by death or separation. The right to equalization and the process is set out in The Family Law Act. Only married spouses have the…
If a surviving married spouse chooses to receive an equalization payment rather than an inheritance, then If there was a will: unless it is clearly specified in the otherwise in the Will, the surviving spouse forfeits all entitlements under the…
Stop complaining about the cost of getting a Will: get one now! Whether you use a Do-It-Yourself kit, or get professional advice, almost any Will is better than no Will. If you die without a Will, the time, effort, and…