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Ontario Court invalidates $83 Million Purported Will: Bayliss v Burnham

Written by: Dina Nikseresht In the recent Ontario Superior Court of Justice decision Bayliss v Burnham, 2025 ONSC 5376, the Court invalidated the purported will of Kenneth Ryan Hill, a wealthy Six Nations businessman with an estate valued at over $83 million. After the death of Hill, an unwitnessed, single-page, typewritten document was discovered. The...

Family, Tax and Estate Planning

Section 7 Expenses: A Frequent Source of Disagreement in Family Law

Written by: Naa Lansana Payors of child support are often surprised to learn that, in addition to table child support payments, they are also expected to contribute to special and extraordinary expenses. Section 7 of the Federal Child Support Guidelines, along with its near-mirror counterpart, section 7 of the Ontario Child Support Guidelines, defines these...

Family

Ex Parte Motions to Declare Liens Expired: Ontario Courts Reinforce High Evidentiary Standard

Written by: Sara Bahadori Two decisions of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Mobilinx v. Edge1 and 2829785 Ontario Inc. v. Total Home & Yard Improvement Inc., provide important guidance on the type and level of evidence required for a court to declare a construction lien expired on an ex parte motion under Section 45...

Business, Litigation

Changes to the Federal Child Support Tables

Written by: Naa Lansana The Federal Child Support Guidelines (Guidelines) were updated on October 1, 2025 to align with recent tax regulations. The previous update occurred in 2017. Before 1997, child support payments were not standardized, but since then, a predictable system has been in place for payors with regular employment and ascertainable incomes. In...

Family

Do I Need Spousal Consent to Sell my Property?

Written by: Dina Nikseresht Under Ontario’s Family Law Act, there is a requirement that consent must be provided by both spouses where matrimonial property is being sold, even if one spouse is not on title. A matrimonial home is a home that is occupied by a person and his or her spouse as their family...

Family, Real Estate, Tax and Estate Planning

The Right to Equal Possession of the Matrimonial Home

Written by: Naa Lansana You may have heard it said that in Ontario, during separation, the matrimonial home receives special treatment. Among the ways in which a matrimonial home differs from other properties is that the Family Law Act (FLA) grants both married spouses an equal right to possession of the matrimonial home upon separation,...

Family

Excluded Directors and Officers in Ontario – Remedies under the Ontario Business Corporations Act

Written by: Sara Bahadori When a director or officer is suddenly shut out of the corporation, it can create major disruptions. Although the process may look different in each case, the Ontario Business Corporations Act (“OBCA”) offers a range of remedies for directors and officers who have been excluded from their corporation. Under section 248...

Business, Litigation

Understanding Probate in Ontario

Written by: Dina Nikseresht When a loved one passes away, their assets need to be transferred according to their will or, if there is no will, in accordance with Ontario’s intestacy laws. This process is often referred to as estate administration. One of the most misunderstood steps in that process is probate. What is Probate?...

Family, Tax and Estate Planning

Appointing a Guardian for Your Children in Your Will

Written by: Dina Nikseresht For every parent, one of the most important decisions to make in your estate planning is choosing who will care for your minor children if you pass away. Appointing a guardian in your will ensures that your children are left to be raised by someone you trust and want to take...

Family, Tax and Estate Planning

Understanding Equalization in Ontario

Written by: Naa Lansana Equalization, authorized under the Family Law Act (FLA), is a legal framework designed to share the economic gains accumulated by parties during their marriage. This applies in several scenarios, among them, when the marriage ends due to separation or the death of a spouse. In the event of a spouse’s passing,...

Family

Case Summary: RBC v. 1108135 Ontario Inc – Director’s Liability found for Line of Credit but Not Credit Card

Written by: Sara Bahadori When small corporations borrow funds, lenders often require a personal guarantee from the owner. If a dispute arises over the owner’s personal liability, courts will look at the contract and the context in which the agreement was made. The recent case of Royal Bank of Canada v. 1108135 Ontario Inc., 2025...

Business, Litigation

What to Do When your Loved One Passes Away in Ontario: A Practical Guide

Written by: Dina Nikseresht The loss of a loved one is a tragic and difficult experience. On top of the grief, you may find yourself responsible for managing their affairs. It’s common to feel unsure and overwhelmed about what needs to be done and in what order. This guide breaks down the typical steps involved...

Tax and Estate Planning

Artificial Intelligent in Law: A Cautionary Tale

Written by: Naa Lansana The legal landscape in recent weeks has been abuzz with commentary on artificial intelligence (AI) hallucinations (fake cases generated by AI), and the negative attention that can ensue for lawyers when AI goes rogue. In the endorsement of Justice FL Myers released on May 6, 2025 following a motion heard in...

Business, Family, Litigation

The Bank of Mom and Dad: Protecting Your Property Interest

Written by: Stefania Rotundu Are you thinking of helping your adult child purchase their first home? It has become increasingly common in Canada for parents to assist their adult children buying property—whether by contributing an early inheritance toward a down payment or purchasing the home outright and taking title jointly as a means of protecting...

Real Estate

Understanding Land Transfer Tax in Ontario: What Buyers Need to Know

Written by: Stefania Rotundu If you are considering purchasing property in Ontario, it is important to be aware of potential additional costs, one of which is the land transfer tax. This tax applies when acquiring land or an interest in land and is payable to the province upon closing. Land transfer tax is calculated based...

Real Estate