Business Law Notes

HOW TO START A FAMILY FIGHT

The Rules below on how to start a family fight are a back-handed look at tried and true behaviors to tear any family apart. No one would suggest, especially me, that this is a worthy objective, but sometimes looking through the glass from the other end gives an entirely different and useful perspective. More practically, this article may help readers come to grips with the need for action to avert family conflict when they observe these behaviors beginning to play out within their own families.

Will challenges

The “Hot Buttons” and How to Avoid Them

THE ATTORNEY FOR PROPERTY’S JOB DESCRIPTION

A Short Guide to the Role and Legal Responsibilities of an Attorney for Property

Non-Resident Beneficiaries

Under the federal Income Tax Act, non-resident beneficiaries are treated fundamentally different than resident beneficiaries.

RRSPs- Asset Protection

As the economic outlook becomes increasingly gloomy in 2009, many are looking to arrange their estates to protect their key assets from potential creditors. Conversely, with real estate and other markets in a tailspin and unemployment rising, RRSP’s and RRIF’s become more obvious targets for creditors attempting to enforce their claims.

THE BUSINESS CASE FOR HAVING A GOOD WILL

An article in the Financial Post (Heather Burke; February 12, 2005) reported on a survey by a leasing US financial planning firm which showed that 16% of Americans with more than $1 million in assets did not have a Will. Even more surprising, the percentage rose to 37% among those with at least $10 million in assets!

THE ESTATE TRUSTEE’S JOB DESCRIPTION

A Short Guide to the Administration of an Estate
of a Person Dying with a Will