In a recent blog post I outlined the benefits of dual wills for business owners as a means of providing a tax efficient manner of transferring the value of a business interest to his or her beneficiaries.  However, this is only of value if there is something to be transferred…

Mediation is a great opportunity to settle, make use of it. Consider mediating before litigation is commenced. Carefully pick your mediator. Arrange for production of documents priort to the mediation. Meet with counsel prior to mediation. Give thought to the interests of the other party and how you might meet…

The use of “dual wills” is an estate planning tool available to business owners in order to transfer the value of their shares to their beneficiaries in a tax efficient manner.  Having dual wills means that business owners have one will that deals with all assets of their estate except for their…

The question of what constitutes a general partnership versus a cost sharing arrangement has important tax consequences  for professional corporations and is an issue increasingly being reviewed by CRA.  The main tax advantage for professionals using a cost sharing arrangement is the ability for each professional to take advantage of…

What are the main purposes of having a will? To appoint a person or person to efficiently manage your assets/business after your death and to carry out your wishes “executor”; To distribute your assets as you think best and to provide for the welfare of your family; To avoid or…

Employment lawyer Sean Bawden is the publisher of the award winning blog ‘Labour Pains’.  To see all the posts, please click here.

Utilities Prior to closing, your solicitor will advise tax, water, hydro and gas of the change of ownership at the closing date.  You may also wish to contact each company to set up your account (i.e. payment schedule). It is your responsibility to contact telephone, cable, satellite, and surveillance and…

When should I be contacting a Lawyer regarding purchasing a home? As soon as possible. Once the lawyer is involved, he/she can start working to protect the purchaser’s interests.   When it comes to buying and selling real estate, “the devil is in the details.” All too often, a fact…