Can Beneficiaries Receive Interim Distribution Pending Wills Variation Claim?
A child or spouse who is disinherited or not adequately provided for in a Will can bring an action seeking a variation. Wills variation litigation can take…
No Posthumous Removal or Use of Reproductive Material Without Consent
Can human reproductive material removed from a deceased donor who had not given prior written consent to its removal or use be used to create embryos to…
Father Disinherits Daughters in a Misguided Attempt to Punish Them
A Will can be a last opportunity for a parent to do right by a child. In a recent BC estate matter, a father instead used his…
Charitable Gift in BC Will Leads to Estate Litigation
Many people leave gifts to charitable organizations in their Wills. BC sisters in Galloway Estate v. British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, 2021…
“Reprehensible” Conduct in Family Law Case Draws Over $1.2 Million Costs Award
A wealthy businessman adopted a battle plan designed to punish his estranged wife on multiple fronts in protracted Vancouver family litigation. The BC court found that the…
Punitive Special Costs in BC Committeeship Proceedings
It is common in committeeship disputes for families and loved ones to have diametrically opposed views of the best interests of the patient. Disagreements about the best interests…
Ex-Wife Entitled to $250,000 Life Insurance as Promised in Separation Agreement
Life insurance provisions are often included in separation agreements as security for spousal support or child support. The terms of the separation agreement will require one spouse…
Court Appoints Administrator to Investigate $5 Million Vancouver Estate Litigation Claim
A person who is left out of a will may believe he or she has a valid claim, but not have access to the evidence required to…
Disinherited Second Wife’s Lawsuit Against Her Stepchildren Dismissed
Transferring property into joint tenancy for estate planning purposes often leads to family disputes and in some cases, litigation. For example, a parent may add their adult…
Family of BC Senior with Dementia Sues Alleged Financial Predator
Predatory marriage is a form of elder abuse that is on the rise. In addition to being conned into marriage by opportunistic predators, vulnerable seniors are taken…