With the Spring market well underway, it appears clear that we are firmly cemented in a “seller’s market” here in Ottawa. Research suggests listings are down across the region by about 30-35% year over year. This means it is a great time to sell. But it also means buyers and…
News & Resources
Court of Appeal Upholds Decision on Partial Summary Judgment
Shawn O’Connor‘s successful Ontario Superior Court motion for partial summary judgment to determine the issue of liability was recently upheld by the Ontario Court of Appeal . The Court of Appeal agreed with the motion judge that the driver of a car who stopped when they saw emergency vehicle lights…
What Is Mortgage Insurance – And How Does It Impact My Purchase
Simply stated, if you buy a home and put less than 20% down, your lender will require that your mortgage be insured. There are several companies that offer this coverage- two of the most well known being CMHC and Genworth. The lender sets up the coverage on your behalf, and…
Learning to Lead – Best Practices in Corporate Diversity
On May 27th, Kelly Santini LLP is hosting a breakfast symposium on diversity in the workplace. Our three guest speakers are leaders in the field of corporate diversity. They will discuss the significant business opportunity offered through effective diversity planning and programming, while providing practical and effective strategies to help…
Answering the Bell – Afton Maisonneuve Steps in to the Ring to Fight for the Cure
For the second year running, a Kelly Santini lawyer is stepping in to the ring to raise money for the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation at the annual Fight for the Cure white collar boxing gala. Real estate, estate planning and business lawyer Afton Maisonneuve is taking on the challenge in…
Social Media Clauses a Growing Trend for Couples, Surrogates, and Adopting Parents
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, blogs, and video sites. We’re increasingly inter-connected through numerous social media platforms and are more instantly accessible than ever before. Of course, with the benefits of this comes misuse and even abuse, and I find myself implementing social media clauses in more and more of the…
Buying a Home – How to Prepare for Closing
So you just put in an offer on a new home and signed the Agreement of Purchase and Sale (“APS”). Now what? This article will give new home buyers a step-by-step overview of the process from the time they sign their APS to when they pick up their keys on…
Should you be considering a marriage contract or cohabitation agreement?
A marriage contract is the Canadian name for what most people call a “pre-nuptial agreement” or “pre-nup”, which are popular American terms. A cohabitation agreement can be like a marriage contract in many respects, but it is between people in a relationship with no plans to marry or whose focus…