POP QUIZ Your elder widowed Father surprises you and remarries; for companionship, human contact, a cook and home helper, any of the above and they live happily for a number of years.
Your Dad then pre deceases your New Step Mom.....
Is she entitled to:
A) a Share of the will
B) Ongoing Support
C) Half the Matrimonial Home
D) Only what she brought with her
Ontario Canada Family Law Reform Act
How soon can you ask her leave the Family Home?
Do you need answers? I can help. Call me for an appointment.
Dad has been living on his own for a while and getting on in years. He has met someone new. Whether he is divorced or a widower is academic. All the kids now have a new step Mother. [sharing their inheritance]
Claims of being a Gold Digger aside, your step Mom has spent lets say a decade looking after your Dad.
The WILL that was drawn prior to the (RE) Marriage is rendered ineffective and must be redrafted. Your Step Mom has an interest in the Matrimonial Home. [SHE] is entitled to an equalization of the equity in the home prior to the distribution of assets
We know you would like to sell the Family Home as soon as practical; but there are some logistical issues that are immediately at hand. Where will the NEW widow live? What provisions has been made for her in the will. While the New Step Mom, now widow, may no longer be asked for a Spousal Consent to the Sale she will however continue to have some possessory rights. Will there be a Dependence Relief Claim?
These are tough decisions for any Executor to make on the spur of the moment and in reality, it may be a minimum of 6 months or more before any decisions are made at all. During this entire time, the estate is still making heat, hydro, water and insurance payments [ and possibly mortgage payments ].
With more than one Executor in the will have you made provision for dispute resolution between the executors?
All the more reason to call a Family Law Specialist who is wise with experience and an ASA REALTOR who is mindful of the resources that need to be introduced.
What legal minefields are you leaving behind with a home will kit? The argument will be what did [he] Dad mean by not addressing these issues.
