Estate planning is one of the greatest gifts you can give your loved ones. With the start of a new year, it’s the perfect time to tackle items you may have been putting off, including creating or updating your estate plan. We have the biggest estate planning mistakes and how to avoid them on our blog.
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McMurter & Associates is thrilled to announce the addition of Nick Whelan as the newest Partner of our firm.
McMurter & Associates is thrilled to announce the addition of Nick Whelan as the newest Partner of our firm. His expertise and commitment to providing our community with estate and real estate law services align with the dedication we promise our clients. This partnership is a welcomed addition to our firm.
Notary Services Can Simplify Your Life
In Ontario, notary services can streamline many of your legal and official document needs. Under Ontario law, only notary publics are authorized to perform affirmations, witness signatures, and certify that a document is a true copy.
A notary public ensures that all legal processes comply with the province’s regulations, offering more than just signatures and stamps of approval. They provide legal assurance, convenience, and peace of mind.
Death binders. A morbid thought, but very beneficial.
Collecting and keeping all of the family’s most important pieces of legal and financial information together and in a secure location can be a tremendous resource in the event of an unexpected (or eventual) death. A death binder is an estate planning tool that you should use to organize and store all documents and notes that your partner and loved ones should have access to if you pass away.
What’s trending: Power of Sale properties are popping up.
The dramatic rise in the prime interest rate is having a devastating impact on household budgets, and as a result we are seeing more and more power of sales in the real estate market in the Durham Region, something that has been relatively uncommon up until now.
Estate Administration Tax… not fun, but necessary. Here’s how to handle it.
Estate Administrative Tax (EAT) is also known as probate fees. There’s no way to get out of paying them, but there are a few things to consider when trying to reduce the amount that your beneficiaries will have to pay from your estate after you are gone. Here is what you need to know about Estate Administration Tax.
Foregoing a home inspection? Proceed with caution.
As a buyer, it can be tempting to forego all conditions. Financing, home sale, and home inspection conditions are the most common conditions. If you are considering excluding conditions, we urge you to reconsider.
What is a chattel and what is a fixture in a home sale?
Let’s get to the definitions of a chattel and fixture in a real estate deal.
Pets are considered property and nothing more in the eyes of the law. Plan accordingly.
In Ontario, pets are considered property so the same rules of guardianship of your children do not apply. In fact, when it comes to your estate your beloved cat is considered as no more valuable than your couch, or your sweet dog is only as important as your dining room table
What Assets Should Be Included in Your Will?
One of the biggest challenges of estate planning is ensuring that your assets end up in the hands of the people you choose. Every will is going to be unique based on your assets and your beneficiaries, but when you work with an estate planning lawyer the process doesn’t have to be complicated.
When you plan your estate with McMurter & Associates we have a specific formula that we work with to ensure that all your assets are properly handled.