Lopatka Law

11/24/2023

Joint ownership can form part of estate planning and incapacity planning, but there are risks [we commonly speak with our clients about the 5D's]. New tax reporting requirements may require joint owners who are bare trustees to file income tax returns as bare trustees, failing which they may face significant penalties. This article explores this issue in greater detail.

Has a parent added you as a joint owner to a bank account to assist them in managing their Finances? Have you participated in any other arrangement…

01/03/2023

2023 will bring in some important changes to taxes and rules, including changes to the capital gains exemption for personal residences.

Many of the important tax figures in Canada have been substantially increased for 2023. Find out more.

12/25/2022

From all of us, may your holidays be full of warmth and cheer, and your new year full of peace and joy.

04/02/2022

Article on the considerations for when using your RRSPs to fund the purchase of your first home.

There are a few things to consider first before you deplete your retirement savings for a down payment

03/20/2022

Great article for real estate investors on the principal residence exemption.

Jamie Golombek: For a property to qualify as your principal residence, four criteria under the Income Tax Act must be satisfied

02/28/2022

Estate planning laws in Alberta may be changing. A proposal has been made that the Wills and Succession Act be amended to allow step-child to apply for support from an estate.

The Alberta Law Reform Institute (ALRI) has published Family Maintenance and Support from the Estate of a Person Who Stood in the Place of a Parent, Final Re...

02/12/2022

Good article on claiming expenses for home offices.

Jamie Golombek: The CRA rejected my claim for employment expenses. Here's a review of the rules, along with the steps I've taken to fight my reassessment

02/06/2022

Interesting article for businesses that received CERB and options for dealing with inquiries from the CRA.

Jamie Golombek: Letters are sure to set off a flurry of tax objections, and, in some cases, lead to litigation

01/28/2022

We often act as Notary Publics and Commissioners for Oaths as part of providing legal services. We often get asked who is a Notary Public and Commissioner for Oaths. Our recent post answers that question.

Notary Public, Commissioner for Oaths. Notarize. Attest. Swear. Oath. Declare. Certify. Witness.

01/28/2022

We often act as Notary Publics and Commissioners for Oaths as part of providing legal services. We often get asked why our stamps don't have an expiry date like other Notaries or Commissioners, and our recent post answers that question.

Why don't Lawyers have an expiry date on their Commissioner for Oaths Stamps

10/24/2021

Mandatory vaccinations raise a myriad of issues in the employment context, and while the issue has not been decided by the Courts, the author of this article outlines some of the reasons why an employee’s failure to vaccinate as required by a vaccination policy, in most circumstances, is grounds to be terminated for cause.

Courts are unlikely to go against prevalent public policy or incentivize unvaccinated employees

10/12/2021

A good article which outlines some of the reasons to get mortgage pre-approval before looking to buy a new home.

Getting preapproved is a must for serious home-hunters.