When parents separate, a common and important question that they have is how support amounts will be calculated. The answer depends on your specific situation, but Ontario follows a structured approach to ensure a level of predictability and to ensure that your children receive appropriate support. There are several factors to consider that play into how much support will be paid for your child(ren). One of the most important things to keep in mind about child support is tha

The short answer is yes, however there is a series of requirements that must be met to formally execute ones’ will. This is to balance convenience with the need to prevent fraud and undue influence. The Law: In April 2021, the Ontario government passed Bill 245, the Accelerating Access to Justice Act, which permanently amended the Succession Law Reform Act (SLRA). This made the temporary COVID-19 measures permanent, meaning you can legally use audio-visual communication tech

Estate planning is one of the most important things you can do, and many people spend considerable time, effort and money in having it done. However, things do change, so when does it become necessary (or at least, strongly advised) to revisit your will? Below we list three common scenarios where it becomes important to reassess your estate plan and decide if changes need to be made. 1.    You have been through a separation. People commonly name their spouse as executors and

When a personal injury settlement for one party occurs within a marriage, those funds can pose important issues at separation. Under Ontario’s Family Law Act, spouses must equalize their Net Family Property upon separation, but not all settlement proceeds are necessarily swept into that calculation. Section 4(2) of the Act expressly excludes “damages or a right to damages for personal injuries… or the part of a settlement that represents those damages” from net family propert

Often when couples separate amicably, to save on spending, they may choose to create an informal or formal separation agreement without consulting lawyers. With the uptick of artificial intelligence, or A.I., it is as simple as ever to get a draft done up for free and in minutes. Doesn’t this seem like a good idea to save time and money? The answer is it likely won’t save you any time and money, as you probably will not end up with an agreement that is legally binding (meanin

When planning for the future, one of the most important legal documents you can have in place is a Power of Attorney for Property. It ensures that your financial and property affairs can be properly managed by a trusted individual of your choosing, in the event you become unable to handle such matters on your own. Not all Powers of Attorney (POAs) are created equal, and understanding the difference between a Continuing Power of Attorney for Property and a Springing Power of

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We are thrilled to share some exciting news: Shawn Stewart and the rest of our team have successfully won a significant appeal, marking a...

Lawyers are expensive. I should know; I’m a lawyer. I frequently talk with clients, or prospective clients, about whether they need to...

We are pleased to announce that Hugh D. McDonald has now entered into a new partnership! As part of an ongoing succession plan, Mr....