Buying a home together is an exciting milestone for any common-law or married couple. For couples who are living together without being legally married, however, purchasing property together can create legal risks that many couples do not fully understand until the relationship ends or one partne...

You’ve built a life together — you share a home, finances, and maybe even a dog. But in the eyes of Ontario law, if you’re not married, you may have far fewer protections than you think.This post is the first in a series of articles that discuss where cohabitating couples may be at risk, an...

The short answer: Estate Administration Tax (often called probate fees) and capital gains tax are two separate taxes that can both arise when someone dies in Ontario. Estate Administration Tax applies to assets that pass through the estate. Capital gains tax applies to the growth in value of cert...

After a death in Ontario, the immediate priorities are registering the death, obtaining certified death certificates, securing the deceased's property, and locating the will. If the deceased owned real estate or accounts held solely in their name, the estate will likely need to go through probate ...

The short answer: What happens to your home when you die in Ontario depends on three things: whether you have a valid will, how you hold title (joint tenancy or tenants-in-common), and your relationship status. Coordinating all three helps make sure your home goes to the people you intend, withou...