Terminating Independent Contractor Agreements
Terminating Independent Contractor Agreements In today’s fast paced and ever-changing business world, employers have begun to rely more and more on independent contractors. Aside from the obvious advantages of the employer not having to remit taxes and various premiums, one benefit of this arrangement is the ease with which it can be ended – maybe! […]
Law Making 101
Law Making 101 law n. 1. the principles and regulations established in a community by some authority and applicable to its people, whether in the form of legislation or of custom and policies recognized and enforced by judicial decision. The Random House Dictionary of the English Language, Second Edition Whether it is driving down the […]
Alter Ego and Joint Partner Trusts: Estate Planning Opportunities
Alter Ego and Joint Partner Trusts: Estate Planning Opportunities Canadians pay plenty of taxes, and as a result we are always on the lookout for ways to reduce the amount we send to Ottawa. One possibility, if you are over 65, is to set up an inter vivos trust, specifically an alter ego or joint […]
Contingency Fees – Now permitted in Ontario
Contingency Fees – Now permitted in Ontario “. . . Clearly contingency fees are in the public interest because they provide greater access to justice, and that means helping to make legal services more accessible to people in need.” Professor Vern Krishna, Treasurer Law Society of Upper Canada One of the most commonly-asked questions of […]
Collaborative Family Law
Collaborative Family Law Cooperation not Confrontation For a while we pondered whether to take a vacation or get a divorce. We decided that a trip to Bermuda is over in two weeks, but a divorce is something you always have. —Woody Allen A new way of doing divorce, called collaborative family law, has been quickly […]
Sometimes Crime Does Pay!
Sometimes Crime Does Pay!In 1998, a thief broke into a residential home in order to help himself to a few of the family treasures. He attempted to make his escape through the garage. Unfortunately he was foiled when the garage door opener malfunctioned and the door between the garage and the house locked. The homeowners […]
Do Grandparents have a right to access?
Do Grandparents have a right to access? As the ultimate goal of access is the continuation of a relationship which is of significance and support to the child, access must be crafted to preserve and promote that which is healthy and helpful in that relationship so that it may survive to achieve its purpose. Madam […]
The Legalities of Gift Giving
The Legalities of Gift GivingYou get the most of what you need the least!Murphy’s Law of Gifts With the holiday season upon us, we thought this would be a good time to discuss gifts and yes – the law. Believe it or not there are a variety of legal rules respecting gifts and gift giving. […]
Your responsibilities under the new Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act
Your responsibilities under the new Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act Effective January 1, 2004, Part I of the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act comes into force for all organizations conducting a commercial activity in Canada. However, the federal government may exempt organizations and activities in provinces that have adopted substantially similar […]
Joint Bank Accounts
Joint Bank Accounts As a parent grows older, particularly if they are in poor health, a bank account may be opened by the parent with an adult child. The purpose is generally for convenience so that the child can look after the parent’s bills and banking. Before such an account is opened it is important […]