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So you want to buy a condo…
Whether you are a first-time home buyer or looking to downsize, ownership in a Condominium is an attractive option for many Ontarians. It involves communal living and decision-making and shared ...
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Avoiding the Merger of Properties Upon Death of a Joint Tenant
The Ontario government recently made a series of changes to the Planning Act that may have a positive effect for those who own adjoining properties. One change in particular has ...
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The Distinct Nature of Waterfront Property Rights and Boundaries
For many, the dynamic nature of Georgian Bay is not immediately obvious. It undergoes an almost cyclical pattern where, over a decade or so, the water levels gradually rise and ...
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A Brief Introduction to Title Insurance
For most people, the purchase of property will be one of the biggest investments they make during their lifetime. And, like all investments, the purchase of property is not without ...
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Child Support Article
Overview In Ontario, a parent can seek a court order for the other parent to pay child support. The Federal Child Support Guidelines and the provincial Child Support Guidelines outline ...
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Navigating Equalization: Addressing Short Marriages and Long Cohabitation
Under section 5(1) of the Family Law Act, it states that when a divorce is granted, a marriage is declared null or when the spouses are separated and there is ...
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Interim Sole-Decision Making and the Best Interest of the Child
By: Josh Young In family law, the courts frequently face the challenge of determining whether to grant sole decision-making authority (formerly known as custody) of the child(ren) to one parent ...
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The Urgent Need for Estate Planning Among Canadians Aged 25-44
Recent statistics from RBC and Aging Canada reveal a concerning trend among Canadians aged 25 to 44: a significant lack of Estate Planning. Despite being in the prime of their ...
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DIY Wills
Creating a Will There’s a wide range of reasons why Canadians may not currently have a Will in place. The cost of legal advice may seem high, the process may ...
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Succession Planning Your Cryptocurrency
With the rise of digital Currencies or Cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, a unique challenge has emerged in Estate Planning. These digital forms of currency present a new concern: ...
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Henson Trusts
What is the Purpose of a Henson Trust? Disabled individuals’ eligibility for government assistance is often subject to conditions and requirements regarding their income or wealth. In Ontario’s ODSP Regulation, ...
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Understanding Bequests in Canadian Wills: Essential Information
In Ontario, bequests are gifts left to individuals or organizations through a Will. Bequests are revocable and can be changed or amended as long as the gift-giver is alive and ...
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Want to avoid probate fees by sharing ownership with your kids? Proceed carefully, experts say.
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The Partition Act: Resolving Conflicts Among Co-Owners of Real Property
Many individuals choose to acquire and own property, as joint owners, with their friends, family, or business partners. But what happens when co-owners can no longer agree as to their ...
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Non-Competition Agreements – Legal or Illegal?
Many people have heard of a non-competition agreement. However, did you know that non-competition agreements are not always legitimate? Non-competition agreements are generally described as an agreement, or any part ...
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Failure to Complete a Real Estate Transaction
Written by Jacob Poole | HGR Graham Partners LLP When selling or purchasing a property, the parties will enter into an Agreement of Purchase and Sale which governs the terms ...
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Passing-Off Article
In June of 2024, a Mississauga homeowner believed they had hired a reputable paving company to re-pave their driveway. The business card, logo, and name of the company the homeowner ...
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A Brief Introduction to Title Insurance
Written by Ben Poole | HGR Graham Partners LLP For most people. the purchase of property will be one of the biggest investments they make during their lifetime. And, like ...
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Non-Resident Speculation Tax (All You Need to Know)
By: Joshua Clarke & Michael Hanton [table id=4 /] This guide explains Ontario’s Non-Resident Speculation Tax (NRST), a tax on certain purchases of residential property by foreign ...
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Notice to Clients: 2024 Capital Gains Changes
The 2024 federal budget has brought unexpected news for taxpayers and tax professionals alike. The budget proposed changes to the capital gains inclusion rate, aimed at enhancing tax fairness ...
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Canada’s Foreign Buyer Ban (A Complete Guide)
By: Joshua Clarke & Jennifer Parker [table id=3 /] Introduction To address the growing concern of housing affordability in Canada, the federal government has extended the Prohibition on ...
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HGR Graham Partners Sponsors 2024 SheLeads Georgian Bay
HGR Graham Partners LLP is pleased to be co-sponsoring SheLeads Georgian Bay with Ferguson Deacon Taws LLP as the Venue Sponsor. Join us on Saturday, May 25, 2024 for ...
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Cohabitation Agreements & Marriage Contracts
Cohabitation and marriage contracts are agreements between partners that set out the parties’ rights and obligations in the event of their separation. They are forward looking agreements and may ...
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Temporary Help Agencies and Recruiters – ESA Changes (What You Need to Know)
Recent changes to the Employment Standards Act (ESA) have altered the landscape for Temporary Help Agencies and Recruiters who carry on business in Ontario. Many companies across the ...
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What is Title Insurance? (What you need to know)
A title insurance policy is a policy of indemnity that insures against loss or damage arising from title defects or other covered risks which may include survey issues, encroachments, ...
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Real Estate Basics: Who Does What?
When selling or purchasing a property, one often deals with several professionals to assist with the transaction. This can leave one unsure over each professional’s role in the transaction. ...
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Reverse Mortgages
There is much hype in relation to reverse mortgages, also known as CHIP (Canadian Home Income Plan) mortgages, these days given the aging population and the low interest rate. ...
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Real Estate Basics: HST and Real Estate (All You Need to Know)
If you are buying or selling real estate, knowing whether HST is payable (or collectible) is an essential component of the transaction. This is determined by the type ...
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Mortgage Remedies (A Lender’s Perspective)
A “mortgage” or “charge” is a conveyance of land as security for the payment of a debt. So long as the Borrower performs all of his or her obligations ...
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Joint Tenants vs Tenants in Common (What’s the difference?)
Purchasing a property is one of the most important decisions people make throughout their lifetime. As is often the case, when two (or more) people are buying a property ...
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Joint Ownership With Right of Survivorship (Watch out!)
It is very common for individuals, as part of their estate plan, to place property such as bank accounts, investment certificates and homes on joint account or joint tenancy ...
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Cottage Property Issues: Know Your Water Rights
By: Joshua Matson Owning waterfront land is an aspiration for many of us and waterfront lots are often highly sought after. Issues concerning the rightful use, access and enjoyment ...
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Language Rights and Access to Justice for Franco-Ontarians
Email Our Family Law Lawyers Canada recognizes two official languages, English and French. As a result, the Canadian Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms protects the right of Francophone parents ...
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Who Gets the Family Pet on Separation?
Email Our Family Law Lawyers While many people see their pets as an integral member of their family, you may be surprised to learn that the Court has typically viewed ...
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Make a Will Month
Email Our Wills & Estate Lawyers Updated November 2022 – November is Make a Will Month in Ontario. This is an opportunity to do what you may have been putting ...
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Bill 245: Accelerating Access to Justice Act – New Changes to Wills and Estates
Email Our Real Estate Lawyers If you are interested in a parcel of land and have a specific use that you want to confirm is permitted for the parcel, the ...
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Shoreline Road Allowances
Email Our Real Estate Lawyers What is a Shoreline Road Allowance? If you are purchasing or own property on a river or lake, you may encounter issues with the shoreline ...
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Real Estate Zoning and Development
If you are interested in a parcel of land and have a specific use that you want to confirm is permitted for the parcel, the first step is to ...
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Expropriations (A Homeowners Guide)
Land expropriation involves the government or other expropriating authority claiming ownership of privately owned property for a public benefit. The Expropriations Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. E.26 (the “Act”) in ...
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Changes in Medical Assistance In Dying (MAID): What You Need to Know
Since 2016 Canadians have had the right, in certain circumstances, to engage medical assistance to end their natural lives. The history of the movement to permit medical assistance ...
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Toxic Mould
The two words that make up the subject of this article need some context. Used together, and especially in the context of buying or selling a house, they can be concerning. ...
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Pets and Your Estate Plan (Everything You Need to Know)
By: Donna MacFarlane Partner, HGR Graham Partners LLP Email Donna What will become of your pets if you die before they do? A good estate plan includes arrangements for the ...
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What You Need to Know About Taxes in Real Estate Transactions (From NSRT to HST)
When buying and selling real estate, whether for residential, recreational or business purposes, it is important to consider the various tax implications of the transaction. All land purchases involve Land Transfer Tax (“LTT”). All land sales involve ...
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Real Estate Basics: Title Insurance
Email Our Real Estate Lawyers Bottom Line: When purchasing a property, title insurance provides you with coverage for issues relating to the marketability of your title as well as fraud related matters. In ...
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First-Time Homebuyer Exception
Email Our Real Estate Lawyers Buying a home is one of the most important financial decisions that many of us will make in our lives. As a first-time homebuyer, you ...
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The Estate Trustee
Email Our Wills & Estates Lawyers Updated November 2022 – The appointment of an Estate Trustee (also known as the Executor) is a crucial step in the Estate Planning process. ...
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The Capacity to Make a Will (What you Need to Know)
Email Our Wills & Estates Lawyers Updated November 2022 – It is never too early to begin your Estate planning journey. There are a number of legal requirements to make ...
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HGR Graham Partners Supports Hospice Huronia in 2020
HGR Graham Partners LLP is pleased to support Hospice Huronia. Donna Macfarlane, Partner presents a cheque to Board Chair Marthe Scott, part of our $20,000 commitment to this organization ...
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In Loving Memory of Ted Symons
It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the passing of our associate and friend, Ted Symons, deceased November 25, 2020. We are proud to have been associated with Ted ...
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Intestate Succession (What happens to my estate if I die without a will?)
Email Our Wills & Estates Lawyers Updated November 2022 – What happens when a person dies without a valid Will? When this occurs, the deceased is deemed to have died ...
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Make a Will Month: Do I Need a Will?
Email Our Wills & Estates Lawyers November is Make a Will Month in Ontario. This is an opportunity to do what you may have been putting off for several months ...
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In Person School or Virtual School During COVID-19? (A Review of Recent Case Law)
By: Victoria Hanton Associate, HGR Graham Partners LLP Email Victoria The decision to either send children to school for in-person learning or keep them home for remote learning has been ...
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Do It Yourself Separation Agreements (A Caution)
By: Lori Aylwin Associate, HGR Graham Partners LLP Email Lori On a regular basis, we have clients come to us with a rough agreement drafted around the kitchen table. Sometimes ...
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A Day in the Life – Featuring Cynthia Dale (Full Interview Video)
The HGR Graham Partners LLP sponsored show A Day in the Life – Featuring Cynthia Dale was a huge success on the 29th of June. We invite anyone who ...
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HGR Graham Partners is Sponsoring Midland Cultural Centre’s – A Day in the Life
HGR Graham Partners takes pride in sponsoring and taking part in events in the communities which we serve. This year we are sponsoring the Midland Cultural Centre’s A Day in ...
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Thank You to Our Frontline Workers
We are grateful to the frontline workers who are working tirelessly to keep our families and communities safe during this difficult time. We would like to give back and try ...
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COVID-19: Creating & Signing Your Will and Power of Attorney Remotely
Thanks to the Ontario Government, our will and estate lawyers have a new tool in their tool kit to assist clients with making wills and powers of attorney or changing ...
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Co-Parenting and COVID-19
By: Victoria Hanton Associate, HGR Graham Partners LLP Email Victoria On March 24, 2020, one of the first endorsements from the Superior Court of Justice discussing urgent family law motions ...
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Can an Employer Change the Terms of an Existing Employment Contract?
By: Andrew Mae Partner, HGR Graham Partners LLP Email Andrew Can an employer change the terms of employees’ existing contracts of employment? The answer is “yes” but there are hurdles ...
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The Benefits of Written Employment Contracts (A Horror Story for Employers That Can be Avoided)
By: Andrew Mae Partner, HGR Graham Partners LLP Email Andrew Many employers hire employees without using any form of written employment contract. It appears that the mindest is, as there ...
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Divorce & Separation (What is Its Impact on Inheritance)
By: Christine Manners Partner, HGR Graham Partners LLP Email Christine Many of our clients are concerned what will happen to an inheritance if a beneficiary goes through a separation. Most ...
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Ontario Introduces a Standard Form Tenancy Agreement
By: Karen Scott Paralegal, HGR Graham Partners LLP Email Karen Starting April 30, 2018 it will be mandatory in Ontario for Residential Landlords to use the Standard Form Tenancy ...
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HGR Graham Partners LLP Grand Opening In Elmvale
Elmvale, ON- Today, HGR Graham Partners LLP celebrated the Grand Opening of their sixth location in the community of Elmvale. HGR Graham Partners LLP has deep roots in the ...
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Bill 148- The Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act: Find Out How These Changes May Affect You
Bill 148: The Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act,2017: Find Out How These Changes May Affect You By: Andrew Mae Partner, HGR Graham Partners LLP Email Andrew On January 1, 2018, ...
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Looking for an Estate Lawyer to make a Will? Here are some recommendations for you if you want to treat your children equally
By: Christine Manners Partner, HGR Graham Partners LLP Email Christine Could you list EVERY asset you own and not miss one? Have you recently made a few purchases – ...
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Shareholder Agreements: What You Need to Know
By: John Walker Partner, HGR Graham Partners LLP Email John You are a shareholder in a corporation with a few other people who are friends and/or family members. In ...
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Ten Things Which You May Not Have Known…but may need to rectify when you make a Will
By: Christine Manners Partner, HGR Graham Partners LLP Do you have a will? Are you thinking about creating a will? Below are ten common items we see regularly which ...
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So you want to start a business? Four questions that every start-up should ask
So you want to start a business? Four questions that every start-up should ask By: Jillian Brazda Student-at-Law, HGR Graham Partners LLP Are you or someone you know going ...
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Protecting the Family Cottage
Protecting the Family Cottage Cottages are special places where many families make great memories and enjoy idyllic vacations and weekends away. However, cottages are also highly valuable family assets that ...
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To Incorporate or Not Incorporate…That is the Question by Kellie Beasley
To Incorporate or Not Incorporate … That is the Question By: Kellie Beasley Partner, HGR Graham Partners LLP The decision to incorporate is one that most entrepreneurs will consider ...
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Paper Written for “Roads Scholars” program for OBA by Paul Rabinovitch – How-to: Become a ‘Roads’ Scholar. Cottage Country Road and Access Issues
How-to: Become a ‘Roads’ Scholar. Cottage Country Road and Access Issues By: Paul Rabinovitch Managing Partner, HGR Graham Partners LLP Below is a discussion paper I presented to the ...
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Advanced Planning For Your Business
While large corporations often have back-up systems in place to allow for the absence of senior management, many small businesses do not. This article raises a number of questions and, ...