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Get a Will! You never know what can happen!

I need a Will but I have no time!

Most people understand that a Will is an important document. However, many put off getting a Will. This mentality stems largely from the fact, that we think we are immortal or in the alternative for obvious reasons death is something we don’t like to think of.

As we know, just by watching the news, or stories from friends and colleagues that anything can happen to us at anytime.

During the Christmas Holiday season a prospective client called about having a Will prepared for his ill father who was in the hospital. There was a sense of urgency due to the extremely unfortunate circumstances that this gentleman had been given weeks to live by his medical treatment team.

One can only imagine how horrifying and tragic this news is to anyone at anytime in their life. This gentleman was bedridden therefore, to prepare the Will it would be necessary to attend at his bedside at the hospital. Apart from the administrative issues, such as finding a witness, taking notes in a hospital etc. The biggest challenge both the lawyer and client face given the medical condition is ensuring that everything has been discussed. Also, there is no room for error.

A Will is one of the most important documents you will ever have.

Get a Will today.

Call my office I am a Wills Lawyer in Burlington.

My address is 901 Guelph Line, Burlington.

You can also call or text at 416-505-4901 OR call Toll Free: 1 (800) 939-9211

Nine things to do in real estate’s slow season – Ontario Real Estate Association Blog

Nine things to do in real estate’s slow season – Ontario Real Estate Association Blog

Real Estate News:

http://www.oreablog.com/index.php/nine-things-to-do-in-real-estates-slow-season/

Real Estate Law, Real Estate lawyer Burlington

 

I am a local real estate lawyer near you. Call my office.

My address is 901 Guelph Line, Burlington.
You can also call or text at 416-505-4901 OR call Toll Free: 1 (800) 939-9211

Real Estate News – Ontario

First-time buyers delaying home ownership on account of new mortgage rules, OREA research shows

Eight-in-ten (79%) first-time home buyers in Ontario say that the federal government’s new, more stringent mortgage rules will throw a wrench into their home buying plans, according to the Ontario Home Ownership Index a semi-annual consumer study commissioned by the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA). Mortgage stress testing will delay home ownership for nearly half of Ontario’s first-time buyers, the survey conducted by Ipsos Reid shows.

https://www.orea.com/About/News-and-Press-Releases/Press-Releases/January-06-2017

Please note: The content above and the title are courtesy of the OREA website.

Contact a Real Estate Lawyer in Burlington.

 

My address is 901 Guelph Line, Burlington.
You can also call or text at 416-505-4901 OR call Toll Free: 1 (800) 939-9211

Real Estate Lawyer Near Me

OREA to Mayor John Tory: “Make Toronto More Affordable for Young Families”

Finding an affordable home in Toronto is becoming a CN Tower-sized challenge for many young families and it could get worse if Toronto City Council increases the Toronto Land Transfer Tax (LTT). Representatives from the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) presented at today’s Toronto Budget Committee meeting, where they urged City Council to reject a proposal by city staff to increase the Toronto LTT.

Click the link to read more: https://www.orea.com/About/News-and-Press-Releases/Press-Releases/January-10-2017

Please note: The content above and the title are courtesy of the OREA website.

Contact a Real Estate Lawyer in Burlington.

 

My address is 901 Guelph Line, Burlington.
You can also call or text at 416-505-4901 OR call Toll Free: 1 (800) 939-9211

When you die without a Will – The story of Roger

Roger died without a Will.

I heard an unfortunate story the other day about the untimely death of an individual I will refer to as, Roger.

Roger passed away during the Christmas Holidays due to a heart attack. He was 50 years old. Roger had no other family other then an elderly father in his eighties who did not live with him. However, it was his elderly father who ultimately went over to find his son, still laying in bed with his clothes on, cold to the touch and turning greyish – blackish. Roger might have been dead for two or three days.

During his life, Roger operated a successful paving company that earned him a very healthy living. Roger was very likely making a few million a year from his company. However, if you met Roger he didn’t look like it. He wore, ripped t-shirts, jeans and sneakers. He was a steak and beer guy.

Since Roger had never been married, had no common law spouse or girlfriend or children his elderly father was the only one left with cleaning up his apartment. As a result, Roger’s friend, who I will refer to as Mark stepped in to help.

On cleaning his friends apartment, Mark noticed that Roger had a wardrobe perhaps in the amount of $20,000 or more. Roger’s closet was lined with expensive Italian suits that Mark estimated could have been $1500 to $3000 dollars. Roger also had about two hundred pairs of expensive custom designer shoes and boots made from snake skin and alligator skin. Mark estimated these to be in the range of $1000 to $2000.

As Mark looked through his deceased friend’s clothes whom he had just chatted with earlier during the week, Roger’s father walked in, “I am gonna donate all these clothes to the Salvation Army, unless you want them.”

Not only did Roger leave behind an expensive wardrobe that was now to be donated, but also some valuable properties. Roger was also a car and bike enthusiast and his garage was outfitted with classic muscle cars and Harley Davidsons.

There was no one left to succeed or inherit his lucrative business or any direction for his employees.  In the interim, Mark stepped in to assist to ensure that existing agreements between Rogers company and his clients were honored. All of Rogers assets and investments are unknown at this time.

The moral of the story is, that Roger spent a lifetime building a successful business from scratch, and purchasing lavish material possessions as so many of us do. In the end, he did not properly plan for his estate. His elderly father will not have the mental and physical stamina to make inquiries with respect to Roger’s estate.

Roger could have avoided all this by simply drafting a Will. Where he could have disposed of estate adequately.

I am a Wills Lawyer in Burlington.

 

My address is 901 Guelph Line, Burlington.
You can also call or text at 416-505-4901 OR call Toll Free: 1 (800) 939-9211

Real Estate Law and the Land Transfer Tax

Ontario first-time buyers catch a break with Land Transfer Tax rebate

As of January 1, Ontario’s first-time home buyers are eligible to receive a $4,000 land transfer tax rebate, an increase of $2,000. In cities where the average price of a home is $368,000 or less, the new rebate exempts buyers from paying the tax altogether. Today, Minister of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs, Minister of Small Business, and MPP for Peterborough, the Honourable Jeff Leal and President of the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Association of REALTORS® (PKAR) Dianne Tully gathered at the Peterborough real estate office to promote the new rebate, which protects their local home buyers from paying any tax on their first home.

Click the link to continue reading

https://www.orea.com/About/News-and-Press-Releases/Press-Releases/January-17-2017

Please note: The content above and the title are courtesy of the OREA website.

Contact a Real Estate Lawyer in Burlington.

 

My address is 901 Guelph Line, Burlington.
You can also call or text at 416-505-4901 OR call Toll Free: 1 (800) 939-9211

Business Law – Shutting Down Your Business – Part 2

SHOULD I SHUT DOWN MY BUSINESS

In my first blog post entitled, Business Law - Shutting Down Your Business I discussed some of the legal consequences that business owners should consider if they are thinking about closing their business.

In this blog post I would like to talk about the emotional decision. There are thousands of books dedicated to starting your own business, succeeding at your own business along with seminars, speeches and blog posts. However, there is very little information about how or when an individual should shut down their business.

Whether you operate a pizzeria or a consulting company deciding to close shop can have a tremendous emotional impact on an individual.

People don’t start their business with the idea that they will be shutting down. They start their business with an optimistic view and a dream of freeing themselves from an employer. Even the most well planned and thought out idea can fail.

When a business is not doing well, a business owner should consider is this a storm they can weather. Is this a temporary slump? Do they have the financial capital to continue? Let’s face it every business has highs and lows. If you don’t believe me just look at some of your favorite companies.

Of course, apart from everything else most business owners will struggle with the term failure. In that, since their business has failed this has something to do with them. A business owner might take it personally. It might also be embarrassing. They might reminisce, that only a few years ago they were proudly announcing their new business and now hoping the question isn’t asked, “how’s business”?

There is no solution to this dilemma. However, struggling business owners need to ensure they make the decision to shut down when they feel it is financially appropriate. Yes, there are great come back stories about failing business that eventually ended up doing very well.

However, there are probably more stories about business that were struggling and ended up having to fold.

One thing to certainly keep in mind, is that there is no shame in having to shut down. One should not view it as a personal failure. In fact, some have managed to avert serious economic crises by shutting down and in some situations even trying again later.

At my law office I regularly meet clients who are facing difficult decisions for their business.

I am a civil litigation lawyer in Burlington.

My address is 901 Guelph Line, Burlington.
You can also call or text at 416-505-4901 OR call Toll Free: 1 (800) 939-9211

Business Law – Shutting Down Your Business

SHUTTING DOWN YOUR BUSINESS

In this first blog post about Shutting down your business I will talk about legal considerations when closing your business. In my second blog  post I will talk about the emotional roller coaster that many business owners face when deciding to close shop.

As a litigation lawyer and a business lawyer I meet many folks looking to start a new business. It’s always great as the lawyer to be there side by side an provide guidance and advice to a new business client.

Unfortunately, the downside is when a business owner has to decide that it’s time to pack it in. This is a very difficult decision and one that can have many financial consequences. For some, these consequences can have a lasting economic impact.

If you are thinking of closing your business there are some common issues to consider:

  • Commercial lease;
  • Business loan;
  • Equipment;
  • Employees;
  • Current existing agreements with clients;
  • Bank accounts; and
  • Income tax.

COMMERCIAL LEASE

Is your business currently locked into a commercial lease? What is the length of the lease? What is the penalty if you break the agreement? If you are already in default of your commercial lease and owe money ensure you have a good working relationship with your landlord.

Otherwise, don’t be surprised to find a lock on the front door of your business with a notice barring you from entering. Also, even if you manage to escape somehow, you might find a lawsuit from your landlord waiting for you.

BUSINESS LOAN

I have seen way too many business owners make the difficult decision of shutting down only to find they owe money to the bank. In many of these situations the bank will not be sympathetic and will very likely initiate legal proceedings quickly. This type of litigation typically does not go well for the borrower. There is also very little in terms of a defence.

EQUIPMENT

Do you own the equipment being used? Are you renting it? Finally, keep in mind if you haven’t paid your rent your landlord might decide to, lock you out. Under those circumstances sometimes the landlord might also decide to unilaterally sell your equipment to make up for the loss.

EMPLOYEES

Having employees can be very tricky for a business looking to shut down. An employer must ensure that there has been compliance with any Ontario law when it comes to severance pay, notice pay etc. Failure to do so, could result in an employee bringing an application to an employment related tribunal or worse, a lawsuit for wrongful dismissal.

CURRENT EXISTING AGREEMENTS WITH CLIENTS

If you have existing agreements with client’s you must be cautious in how you treat those relationships. If you were contracted to perform services or provide products and you fail to do so, you could be in breach of contract. This could provoke litigation.

BANK ACCOUNTS

If your business has bank accounts what steps will you be taking to close those accounts?

INCOME TAX

Are their any income tax implications of shutting down your business? Business that are registered corporations are required to file taxes every year. Also, if you are incorporated you must officially wind down your corporation.

I am a civil litigation lawyer in Burlington 

My address is 901 Guelph Line, Burlington.
You can also call or text at 416-505-4901 OR call Toll Free: 1 (800) 939-9211

Civil Litigation – Stress and the Lawyer

LITIGATION LAWYER 

In a previous blog post I talked about the topic civil litigation stress and the client. In this blog post I would like to talk about the stress associated with civil litigation and the lawyer.

Believe it or not lawyers by no means are immune to stress and other mental health issues that stem from civil litigation and various other areas of law such as, family law and criminal law.

Here’s a fantastic article from the CBC entitled, 'The impact on society is enormous': In legal profession, depression, addiction hurt clients, too

I will say this, that a little bit of stress is good. It shows that the lawyer is thinking about the file and trying to look out for their clients. However, for many lawyers this stress can start to overcome them.

Have they advised their clients properly? Is the lawyer prepared for trial? Has all the requisite paperwork been filed? Have all the timelines been met?

Of course a major stressor for litigation lawyers is ensuring they have accurately quoted their clients for not only their own legal fees but the possible negative outcomes associated with losing.

Also, lets face it, many lawyers gloat, post, tweet about their court successes. However, many for obvious good reasons don’t like to advertise a loss. The courtroom process is very adversarial and it can at times come down to winning and losing.

This is why many good lawyers will often strongly recommend alternative dispute resolution.

CIVIL LITIGATION LAWYER NEAR ME

If you are trying to locate a civil litigation lawyer near you contact my office.

I provide legal services in Burlington, Milton, Hamilton and Oakville.

My address is 901 Guelph Line, Burlington.
You can also call or text at 416-505-4901 OR call Toll Free: 1 (800) 939-9211

CIVIL LITIGATION – STRESS AND THE CLIENT

CIVIL-LITIGATION – STRESS AND THE CLIENT

I’ve been practising civil litigation for more then a decade. I can say that emotional stress is a significant factor when it comes to people involved in a lawsuit. This stress is not exclusive to only the parties. It can also be stressful for the civil litigation lawyer. In another blog post I will discuss civil litigation – stress and the lawyer.

A LAWSUIT SHOULD BE THE LAST RESORT

For this reason, when new litigation clients come in to talk about starting a lawsuit, I will in fact do my best to talk them out of it!

People find this amusing. However, for me its not about making more money it’s about finding a result for my clients that is worthwhile.

There is nothing worthwhile about suing for a $20,000 unpaid loan, waiting two to four years to get to a trial and having paid your litigation lawyer $5000 in the process. Not to mention the incredible emotional toll that trial preparation and trial attendance takes on an individual.

This is why a lawsuit should be the last option.

Also, feel free to browse my article, Should I sue? 

STRESS

The time, costs, and uncertainty are just some of the reasons why litigation clients end up feeling stressful. A good lawyer can alleviate some of that stress by providing frequent updates, recommendations, options and sound legal advice.

At my law office I understand how difficult it is to be involved in a lawsuit. Many clients are afraid to even speak to their own lawyer because of what their lawyer will charge them!

CIVIL LITIGATION LAWYER NEAR ME

If you are trying to locate a civil litigation lawyer near you contact my office.

I provide legal services in Burlington, Milton, Hamilton and Oakville.

My address is 901 Guelph Line, Burlington.
You can also call or text at 416-505-4901 OR call Toll Free: 1 (800) 939-9211