There are many factors to consider when planning the future of an estate. The process can be a complex but deeply fulfilling endeavor. Matters may be particularly complex if you have a business that you've worked hard to build, and you want that business to continue thriving for years to come.
Estate planning guidance
At Hagel Lawfirm, we specialize in helping people to plan their estates and resolve issues with disputed estate plans. After spending years as a financial planner, our lawyer, Dorothy Hagel, is prepared to help you avoid all of the common pitfalls in estate planning. With the guidance of an estate planning lawyer, you can rest assured that the wording of your will won't result in any future disputes or unintended tax obligations.
How a charitable legacy can benefit an estate in Ontario
If someone dies without a will in Canada, his or her estate will be divided by the provincial government through a process known as probate. What this can mean is that a person's assets will not go to the beneficiary the individual may have desired, but will be distributed according to a formula. The best way to avoid this and ensure that the intended beneficiaries receive the assets is through estate planning and the drafting of a will.
What is a guardian ad litem?
When a contentious divorce between parents takes place in Ontario, a guardian ad litem may be appointed to represent the children's interests. The role of a guardian ad litem is to provide a legal voice for someone who is not capable of doing so in court such as young children, infants or individuals who have been found incompetent. In addition to divorce cases, a guardian ad litem may be involved in contested inheritances, paternity lawsuits, child neglect or abuse cases.
How is a guardian chosen?
When a person cannot comprehend the pertinent information or appreciate the potential effects of a financial decision that he or she makes, a guardian of property may be appointed to manage the person's financial affairs. There are multiple scenarios in which such a guardian may be appointed.
