Articles

Articles

What is A Holograph Will and is it Legal in Ontario?

Is a handwritten will “legal” in Ontario? Yes.  Such a will is called a “holograph will.”  If your will is completely written out in your own handwriting and you sign and date it, then it is a valid will in Ontario. Your handwritten will should say who gets your property,

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Living Will/Power of Attorney

The expression “living will” is sometimes used to refer to a document in which you write down what you want to happen if you become seriously ill, in danger of death, and can’t communicate your wishes about treatment or non-treatment. It is quite common, for example, for people to write a “living will” saying that they do not want to be kept alive on artificial supports if they have no hope of recovery.

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Do I Need a Will?

Many people ask this question … the answer may surprise you … If you have a will, you can: – decide who benefits from your estate. – give items to certain individuals – provide for a common law spouse, step-children or children of a common law relationship who are not related to you by blood – 

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Do I Need a Power of Attorney?

A Power of Attorney is a legal document that gives someone else the power to act on your behalf.  Some describe it as “stepping into the shoes” of the person who creates the power of attorney.  To “act on your behalf” means to make decisions as you would, as well as doing so with your best interests being the primary focus.

Door to Door “salespeople” in the area!

“Just Energy” salespeople are in the area.  Police in Sudbury and Espanola are advising consumers of unscrupulous practices. They begin by stating that they can save you money….they ask for your energy bill and this gives them access to your private information.  They advise that they want to see your bill in order to show you how they can save you money…but this is the beginning of the ruse.

Home Repair and Renovation

Your rights when dealing with home contractors   With the arrival of “instant” summer, many residents are beginning to weigh the prospects of hiring a contractor to do some household repairs or renovations.  There are some important steps to keep in mind when dealing with anyone who holds himself/herself out to be a contractor or renovator.

My Landlord is raising my rent…can he do that?

Your landlord is allowed to raise your rent once per year on the anniversary date of when you first created the “contract” with him or her.  The lawful rent for the first rental period for a new tenant under a new tenancy agreement is the rent first agreed upon when signing a lease agreement between the landlord and tenant.

Residential Tenancies Act II

  What renters and landlords need to know!     In January, 2007, the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) replaced the Tenant Protection Act (TPA).  Also, on this date, the Ontario Rental Housing Tribunal became the Landlord and Tenant Board.   Two years have passed,

Residential Tenancies Act

What renters and landlords need to know!     In January, 2007, the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) replaced the Tenant Protection Act (TPA).  Also, on this date, the Ontario Rental Housing Tribunal became the Landlord and Tenant Board.   Two years have passed,

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Legal Help and the Elderly

Bringing legal help to the Elderly… Elliot Lake boasts of its ever-increasing senior population. This fact has been confirmed by Statistics Canada, which has concluded that the city of Elliot Lake is the “oldest” city, population wise, in North America. Delivering and receiving critical information from and to our Elderly population is an especially challenging exercise for anyone attempting to lend services or respond to the needs of the elderly.