Barrister, Solicitor, Notary Public
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Professional Services

Seeking proper legal advice before problems arise, can prevent difficult and expensive problems from arising in the future. For a quick review of possible areas of concern, see Your Legal Checkup.

In seeking the services of a lawyer to assist you with a legal issue, you should expect a full consultation that allows you to fully express your concern and the lawyer to apply his or her years of legal education and experience to create a solution that fits your particular needs. In each of the following areas of my practice, your particular needs will be addressed.

Wills, Estates, Powers of Attorney

My practice includes the preparation of Wills, Powers of Attorney, Application for Certificate of Appointment of Estate Trustee (Probate) and related matters.

Planning for the possibility of your mental incapacity and inevitability of death is not an easy task. It is too important to take the chances involved in not seeking professional advice. Saving a few dollars by using a prepared stationers form or kit as a will, risking your life’s accumulated assets and those you leave behind makes little sense. A professional will advise you as to tax savings, the avoidance of issues such as family property disputes, probate fees, and can ensure that the document that is created is valid.

See my Estate Checklist to find out if your estate planning may need updating.

Leaving your decision making to the wrong person through a poorly drafted or invalid power of attorney can have dire consequences. The duties of an attorney who has been given authority to make decisions, either in the case of personal care or in the case of property, should not be undertaken lightly. There is much potential for abuse. Ensuring that the attorney you choose is aware of his or her duties is prudent.

Read up on the Duties of Attorneys in Ontario to ensure you and your potential attorney are up to the task.

You can find additional information on a number of topics relating to estate planning, wills and powers of attorney in the “Dear Barbro” column published by Help’s Here, including:
( ** To read the articles, click on the links below)

Uncontested Family Matters

The complexities of family law in Ontario frequently require referral to a lawyer specializing in family law, however where there is no dispute, I will work with you to prepare prenuptial, co-habitation, and separation agreements and complete the paperwork required to finalize an uncontested divorce I am available to give independent legal advice in most cases. For an overview of some of the aspects of the law see my article: Marriage Rights and Responsibilities in Ontario.

Cohabiting (Common law) spouses, do not have the same rights as between each other as to legally married couples. This can impact not only their ability to obtain an equitable settlement should they split up, but also create difficulties when one dies without proper written agreement, whether that is a cohabitation agreement, or a properly drafted will and estate plan.

See also the article appearing in “Dear Barbro” column published by Help’s Here: Rights between common law partners

Improperly drafted agreements can result in misunderstandings and litigation. Without the use of independent legal advice, domestic agreements are open to accusations of undue influence and can be easily contested.

Business and Corporate matters

I also prepare business and partnership agreements, handle incorporation and corporate maintenance, including not for profit and charitable associations.

In entering into any business agreement it is important that all parties are fully identified and are fully aware of the obligations they are entering into. A properly drafted agreement will look at all the possible consequences and will ensure that there is no misunderstanding as to what is promised. A lawyer applies not only understands how words can be interpreted by the courts, but also has a wealth of experience and understanding of problems that can arise and what can be done to avoid them.

As to the importance of communicating in an agreement see my article:  The Who What When Where of Contracts.

In the case of incorporation, the actual obtaining of corporate status is only the first step; the difficulty comes in knowing when and why to incorporate, and what the consequences of incorporating will be. The act of incorporation is only the first step in a number of legal obligations and administrative tasks.

While on reason for incorporating may be to protect you from personal liability, being a director has duties. Failure to complete those duties have consequences.

As to some of the areas for which a director may be held personally liable, see: Statutory liabilities for directors.

Real Estate

As your lawyer, in general practice, I am able to look after your real estate needs. When acting for you in an estate matter, I will complete any transfer of property you may need for the purposes of estate planning. Or in the completing of a separation or cohabitation agreement, I can handle any changes that are necessary in respect to the change of ownership of real property.

I am available to act as your solicitor in the sale, purchase or refinancing of property. Perhaps your first opportunity to retain a lawyer is in the purchase of your first home. If you wish me to look after this for you, I hope that it will lead to a continuing relationship and I welcome any legal questions that you may have in future.

The costs of purchasing a residential property are not simply the purchase price. If you are shopping for a real estate lawyer to complete your transaction, make sure that you are quoted all the fees and disbursements that will be charged. What looks like a deal, may end up as a big surprise when the final costs are calculated. And don’t forget to find out the amount of Land Transfer Tax due on closing. The website http://orebweb1.oreb.ca/calc/LandXferCalc.aspx will do the calculation for you.