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Dec 12
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The Justice Ontario page on the Ministry of the Attorney General webpage provides a great resource when you have any general questions about Wills and estate planning.  It answers general questions like “What is a Will?” to much more complex questions such as “How do I calculate the amount of estate administration tax?” 
  Once you have checked out these resources and started thinking about your wishes for your estate, call our office at (519) 337-3847 if you’d like to book an appointment to begin your estate planning.

https://www.attorneygeneral.jus.gov.on.ca/english/justice-ont/estate_planning.php
Dec 08
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What are the requirements for making a properly executed Will? This is something your lawyer can help you with to ensure all contingencies are covered and all requirements are met.   The Ontario Securities Commission, in their series “Get Smarter About Money” provides a brief description of the two different types of Wills.  The article also discusses mental capacity and the implications that mental incapacity has on your estate planning.

https://www.getsmarteraboutmoney.ca/plan-manage/planning-basics/wills-estate-planning/making-a-will/
Dec 01
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Here is another great post by the Ontario Securities Commission about how a lawyer can (and does!) help you in drafting your Will and estate planning documents. It also provides helpful discussion on the repercussions of improperly preparing your own Will.    Again, remember that a lawyer’s role is to ensure that your wishes and interests are protected and clearly expressed when preparing your Will and other estate planning documents. 

https://www.getsmarteraboutmoney.ca/plan-manage/planning-basics/wills-estate-planning/legal-advice-when-making-your-will/
Nov 28
Love0

It is common to hear someone ask if it is possible or advisable to prepare a Will without a lawyer.  Investor Educator Fund, through their article in the Toronto Star titled “Can I write my own will?”, attempts to answer this question.  Though this article is outdated (May 7, 2011), the considerations it raises remain highly relevant when deciding how to prepare a Will today.  Remember that a lawyer’s role is to ensure that your wishes and interests are protected when preparing your Will and other estate planning documents.  While it might be tempting to write your own Will to save the cost of a lawyer preparing it, a lawyer’s help can make sure your Will isn’t inadvertently declared void possibly resulting in your intended beneficiaries being left out.

https://www.thestar.com/business/personal_finance/retirement/2011/05/07/can_i_write_my_own_will.html
Nov 27
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Holiday Donations

By November 2017

This year the Santoro Law Office team has decided to put together a donation bin dedicated to Sarnia & District Humane Society. Feel Free to stop by our office at 265  Front Street North, Suite 404 to make a donation to help our furry friends have a happy holiday too! (Please donate cash directly at the Sarnia & District Humane Society located at 131 Exmouth Street, Sarnia)

 

Suggested items include:

  • Blankets (Large & Small)
  • Pill Pockets (Specific treats to put medication in)
  • NON-CLUMP cat litter
  • Large rawhide chews
  • Dog toys
  • Cat toys

*Please note: If wanting to purchase dog/cat food please buy the brand “Royal Canin”.

 

Feel free to contact us with any questions 😊

Nov 24
Love0

Do I need to make a Will? Should I have a Power of Attorney made? When is the best time in my life to prepare these documents? These are all common questions that people have regarding Estate Planning.   
In order to organize your thinking regarding your assets and estate planning before you make a Will, check out this informational page posted by the Ontario Securities Commission as part of their “Get Smarter About Money” series.  It provides helpful information about the function of documents such as Wills, powers of attorney, living Wills, trusts, life insurance, etc.  It also provides explanations about what estate planning in general entails. 

https://www.getsmarteraboutmoney.ca/plan-manage/planning-basics/wills-estate-planning/estate-planning-explained/
Nov 21
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To sum up the information we’ve directed you to regarding buying a home, the Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO) provides additional information about all of these topics on their webpage. Congratulations, you’ve bought or sold your home! Now what? Signing the Agreement of Purchase and Sale is only the beginning of closing the deal. Check back later next month for more helpful resources regarding the closing process and the lawyer’s role in the real estate transaction.

http://www.reco.on.ca/home-buyers-sellers/
Nov 17
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An important step in buying a house is to actually sign the Agreement of Purchase and Sale. This typically happens before you find a lawyer to act on your behalf, so it is important to make sure you know what you are signing and the implications the document may have on the transaction.   Delaney’s Law Firm, in Ottawa, Ontario, has written this article “Real estate lawyer’s common advice on Agreements of Purchase and Sale”.  It provides helpful tips on what to include and/or exclude in your Agreement of Purchase and Sale as well as tricky items to look out for or ask about before signing.  This article answers some common questions you might have about issues such as suggested deposit amounts and closing dates.

https://ottawalawyer.com/common-advise-agreements-purchase-sale/
Nov 14
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Can’t decide whether to rent or to buy property? There are certainly benefits and detriments to each.   The Ontario Securities Commission, through their series “Get Smarter About Money”, provides a handy pro/con list for both buying and renting property. This includes a comparison of items such as cost, investment potential, income potential, maintenance, etc.

https://www.getsmarteraboutmoney.ca/invest/investment-products/real-estate/renting-vs-buying/
Nov 10
Love0

When preparing to buy a home, you will have to decide between various methods of financing the purchase.  This can include a mortgage from a financial institution, private lender, a personal line of credit, from your own savings, etc.
This article from the series “Get Smarter About Money” by the Ontario Securities Commission provides you with considerations and steps that should be taken in obtaining the requisite finances to buy a home.  It also provides helpful information on obtaining and/or choosing a mortgage.

https://www.getsmarteraboutmoney.ca/invest/investment-products/real-estate/planning-to-buy-a-home/
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