by Tim | Mar 27, 2017 | Property, Real Estate, Uncategorized
In the 1986 movie, the Money Pit, a young couple move into a home that is terribly dilapidated. While falling down stairways and leaking bathtubs in this movie are enjoyable for comedic value, no one enjoys these things when they happen to you! A home is the...
by Tim | Mar 9, 2017 | Family Law, Uncategorized
Like all family law issues, the question of whether to send a child on an access visit when the child expresses she does not want to go is fraught with difficulties. Courts have determined that the answer is ultimately fact specific. In Geremia v. Harb, 2007 CanLII...
by Tim | Feb 24, 2017 | Elder, Estates, Legal Information, Property, Seniors, Uncategorized
Sometimes the universe presents me with topics to write on. This was one of those weeks. Over the past week, I have spoken to 3 or 4 different people separately about the importance of doing a Last Will and Testament. During one conversation, a colleague and I...
by Tim | Feb 22, 2017 | Access to justice, Family Law, Legal Information, Social Media, Uncategorized
1. Access to Justice in Canada Access to justice is a serious problem in Canada for several reasons: 1. many people cannot afford legal services; 2. not enough judges; 3. not enough courthouses; 4. need for streamlining of many legal processes. See for example, Action...
by Tim | Feb 17, 2017 | Company, Corporate, Uncategorized
As the sun begins to shine and we creep ever closer to spring (okay, I’m being optimistic), companies may be coming up on their corporate year ends. Don’t forget that you will receive a notice each year reminding you to fill out your annual return and...
by Tim | Feb 13, 2017 | Insurance, Property, Real Estate
You are buying your first home and you have signed so many documents your hand is getting sore. You likely have signed a mortgage, the mortgage covenants, discussed title to the property with your lawyer, arranged for fire insurance; maybe you talked about zoning...
by Tim | Feb 8, 2017 | Common-Law, Family Law, Property
Tough Questions One of the topics that I discuss often with clients and prospective clients is property rights of common-law partners. There are many misconceptions and myths regarding this topic. For example, I often hear questions similar to the following: – My...
by Tim | Feb 6, 2017 | Common-Law, Debt, Family Law, Property, Uncategorized
Myth: Behaviour of the other person matters in a divorce hearing as to whether your divorce is granted. Response: No. Since the June 1, 1986 amendments to the Divorce Act, the sole criterion for divorce is “marriage breakdown.” Divorces are now described...
by Tim | Nov 24, 2016 | Elder, Estates, Property, Seniors, Uncategorized
A Power of Attorney is a legal document by which one person grants another the right to act on his/her behalf after the donor no longer has the capacity to make decisions. A Power of Attorney can be a useful estate planning tool, especially as we begin to age and...
by Tim | Aug 5, 2016 | Property, Real Estate, Tax
The Real Property Transfer Tax Act requires purchasers of property to pay a one-time tax upon purchase of a property in New Brunswick. On April 1, 2016, the real property transfer tax increased from 0.5 per cent to one percent of the assessed value of a property or...