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Wills & Estates

Tips for When a Client Dies

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It is a difficult experience when a client dies. However, the right to confidentiality does not end with death and you have continuing professional duties. Our new tip sheet explains the steps to take upon learning that a client has passed away, depending on whether the matter involved litigation, wills or real estate, as well… Read More »

Categories: Wills & Estates, Real Estate, Civil Litigation

New Ontario Court forms that come into force Jan 1st that will impact on wills & estates lawyers

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New Ontario Court forms come into force on January 1, 2022. The amended forms, now available on the Ontario Court Forms website, have a simplified format and helpful instructions. Old forms will not be accepted after January 1, 2022, unless the court orders otherwise. The rule and form amendments also include consequential amendments prompted by… Read More »

Categories: Wills & Estates

Tips to Manage the Important New Changes to Wills, Powers of Attorney and Succession Law

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The government has enacted 4 important changes regarding wills, powers of attorney (POAs) and to the administration of an estate with Bill 245 – Accelerating Access to Justice Act, 2021 which received Royal Assent on April 19, 2021. (See amendments in Schedule 8 – Substitute Decisions Act, 1992 and Schedule 9 – Succession Law Reform… Read More »

Categories: Wills & Estates

The dangers of renting out your signature as a virtual witness on a will or POA

The virtual execution of wills and powers of attorney has suddenly become a big topic for Ontario lawyers, even those practising outside the wills and estates bar. The April 7, 2020 (amended April 22) emergency Order in Council now permits, on a temporary basis, the virtual witnessing of wills and powers of attorney in Ontario…. Read More »

Categories: Wills & Estates, Technology

How to lessen your risk of a malpractice claim when virtually witnessing wills and powers of attorney

[Updated April 24, 2020] As part of its response to the COVID-19 pandemic, on April 7, 2020 the Government of Ontario released an emergency Order temporarily allowing the virtual execution of wills and powers of attorney by means of “audio-visual communication technology” as of that date. On April 22, 2020, a new emergency order was… Read More »

Categories: Wills & Estates

Availability of insurance coverage for lawyers acting as executor or trustee

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Estate lawyers will sometimes be called upon by a client to act as executor or trustee as part of their Professional Services. Depending on the complexity of the estate or trust, these appointments can last for years and involve a substantial time investment. As with other aspects of a legal practice, alleged errors in the… Read More »

Categories: Wills & Estates, LAWPRO Errors and Omissions Coverage

Land Acknowledgement

The offices of LAWPRO are located on the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, Anishnabeg, Chippewa, Haudenosaunee and Wendat peoples. Toronto is covered by Treaty 13 with the Mississaugas of the Credit. LAWPRO respects and acknowledges the histories, languages, knowledge systems, and cultures of First Nations, Metis, and Inuit nations.

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