Estate Administration

Total 493 Posts

The $100 Million Executor Fee: Unexpected but not Unreasonable

This blog was written by Paula Lester – Estate and Trust Consultant with Scotia Wealth Management When the four executors of Leona Helmsley’s $5 billion estate asked for payment of $100 million for their services, it was touted as being astronomical by the challenging Attorney General. Still, Manhattan Surrogate’s Court Judge Nora Anderson recently ruled to allow the fees, which, although admittedly enormous, were considered justified based on the complexity….

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Compensation, Estate Administration, Executors, In the News, United States

Fraudulent Conveyances and Your Estate

It is well known that Ontario testators enjoy the freedom to distribute their estates as they wish (provided their statutory obligations are met); however, the recent case of RBC v. Scarborough, 2019 ONSC 3369, reminds readers to be cognizant of the impact of debts and liabilities upon those who may stand to benefit from an estate, as well as the ramifications of taking steps to deal with one’s estate in….

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Estate Administration, Estate Litigation, Estate Planning, Executors, Joint Tenancy, Loans, Wills

The Jeffrey Epstein “Plot” Thickens…Last Will and Testament Signed 2 Days Prior to Death!

Jeffrey Epstein (“Epstein”) signed a will just 2 days before he was found dead in his jail cell, raising new queries about his final days inside the Manhattan Correctional Centre, where he was awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking and conspiracy charges. This new development adds to what is likely going to be a long battle over the estate of the financier and convicted pedophile. While the criminal charges against….

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Estate Administration, Estate Planning, In the News, Wills

Changes to a Trust Agreement

The Canada Revenue Agency recently responded to a ruling request as to whether or not a proposed amendment to a trust agreement could be so significant to cause a resettlement of the trust, or a disposition of a beneficiary’s interest in the trust Before the enactment of variation of trusts legislation, trustees were generally bound to administer the trust according to its terms.  Unless specifically allowed in the trust deed,….

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Canada Revenue Agency, Estate Administration, Executors, Tax Issues

Trusts and Trust Resettlements – Variations and Circumstances

Variation(s) of a trust agreement, after it is settled, does carry the risk of causing a resettlement of a trust or a disposition of a beneficiary’s interest in the trust, with serious tax consequences. But not all variations lead to resettlement, fortunately. Recently in an advance ruling, the Canada revenue Agency (“CRA”) was asked to consider whether a trustee seeking to amend a trust agreement for the appointment of the….

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Canada Revenue Agency, Disability, Estate Administration, Executors, Guardianship, Spouse, Tax Issues, Testamentary Capacity, Trustee, Trusts, Uncategorized

Ignorance is Bliss

Our friend recently told us that his sister had done a DNA genetic test with one of the companies that provides ancestry and  health information.  What she found out was not what she was expecting at all.  No, she does not have ‘royal’ roots but she does have twin half brothers that she did not know existed.  It turns out that my friend’s mom had, before she married his father,….

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Contested wills, Estate Administration, Estate Litigation
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