The Alberta Law Reform Institute (ALRI) issued its final report in January 2022, entitled "Family Maintenance & Support from the Estate of a Person Who Stood in the Place of Parent." The Report recommends that Alberta...more
In the June 2020 case of Bergler v. Odenthal, 2020 BCCA 175 [Bergler], the British Columbia Court of Appeal found that deathbed wishes created a "secret trust", which required the surviving common law spouse to hold the...more
If you are a beneficiary in a will that contains a no-contest clause, and you don't like what the will directs, be careful before you question its validity. You just might lose everything....more
There is a common misconception that the testator is free to leave their estate to anyone they choose. While this is largely true, certain family members who were left out or feel they were inadequately provided for under a...more