Blog - Gale Law

The Horrors of Homemade Wills: When Good Intentions Go Bad

The Horrors of Homemade Wills: When Good Intentions Go Bad It’s a story estate lawyers know all too well: someone decides to “save a few bucks” by writing their own will — only for the family to end up spending thousands in legal fees after their death. While homemade wills might seem like a simple

Elder Law Day 2025 Recap!

Elder Law Day 2025 Recap! PART 1: Loneliness, Vulnerability, and the Law Moderator: Kimberly Gale, Gale LawPanelist: Kelley Bryan, Office of the Public Guardian and TrusteePanelist: Jordan Korn, Goddard Gamage LLPPanelist: Kim Whaley, WEL PartnersPanelist: Graham Webb, The Advocacy Centre for the Elderly (ACE) The 2025 Elder Law Day opened with a dynamic and timely discussion on the growing intersection

What 2024 Taught Us About Trust and Estates Litigation in Canada

What 2024 Taught Us About Trust and Estates Litigation in Canada Authored by: Kim Gale and Jessica Campolucci As litigation in estates and trusts law continues to evolve, 2024 marked a significant year for Canadian courts. Several appellate decisions pushed the boundaries of existing doctrines while reinforcing core principles that define estate planning, administration and

Collaborative Law for Estate Lawyers

In “Collaborative Law for Estate Lawyers”, Kim Gale offers a comprehensive guide for how estate lawyers can implement collaborative law into their practice.

Limitation applicable to constructive trust and unjust enrichment claims

Limitation applicable to constructive trust and unjust enrichment claims Introduction The decision in Ingram v. Kulynych Estate (“Ingram”), by the Ontario Court of Appeal (the “ONCA”) addressed whether the ten-year limitation period under Section 4 of the Real Property Limitations Act R.S.O. 1990, c. L.15 (“RPLA”) applies to the respondent, Kathleen Ingram’s, constructive trust and

Spotting the Signs: Recognizing and Reporting Elder Abuse

In this presentation, Kim Gale provides an in-depth exploration of elder abuse, focusing on how to recognize the key signs and patterns that may indicate mistreatment. She shares practical examples to help attendees identify potential cases and offers guidance on when and how to report such instances. Additionally, Kim delves into the legal remedies available

Date of Death: Determining commencement of the limitation period

In our last article with Law360 Canada, Palak Mahajan and I wrote about the relevance of the recent decision of Ingram v. Kulynych Estate, 2024 ONCA 678, with respect to limitation periods. Limitation periods continue to be an overarching factor that plays one of the most important roles of every file/case that comes through the

Who Handles What? Estate Trustees vs. Lawyers in Managing an Estate

In this presentation, Kim Gale breaks down the roles of an estate trustee and a lawyer, offering insights on responsibilities, legal obligations, and best practices in estate administration.

Succession Law Reform Act: Substantial Compliance

Succession Law Reform Act: Substantial Compliance Co-written by: Kim Gale and Kiran Sanghera Imagine being able to prove that a handwritten note in your notebook could be your last will and testament. That is exactly what the newest Ontario concept in estates law, “substantial compliance,” strives to do. While it is a fairly new concept

From Conflict to Consensus: Why Collaborative Law Works for Estate Disputes

In this presentation, Kim Gale outlines collaborative law and its potential role in estate disputes. She highlights the benefits of this approach, emphasizing its focus on cooperation and relationship preservation.