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RBHF

As a full service law firm, RBHF is ready to assist you with any problem. Founded in 1988 in Kingsto

05/27/2026

When a debt goes unpaid, many businesses default to hiring a collection agency to recover what they're owed. But this option can come with limitations and isn’t always the best available solution.

Here's how collection agencies and law firms compare in Ontario:

▶️ Scope of Authority: Collection agencies can contact debtors and negotiate repayment and that's largely where their authority ends. A law firm can do all of that, plus issue formal legal demands, commence proceedings, obtain judgments, and enforce recovery through garnishment or liens.

▶️ How Debtors Respond: A formal legal demand from a law firm carries significantly more weight than a call from a collection agency. Many debtors who ignore agencies respond quickly when a lawyer is involved as the consequences are much clearer.

▶️ Cost vs. Recovery: Collection agencies take a percentage of whatever is recovered. In many legal proceedings, costs can be recovered as part of the judgment, meaning the cost of pursuing the debt professionally can be built into what you're owed.

If a collection agency hasn't delivered results or if you want to pursue a different recovery process, a law firm may be the more effective choice.

05/21/2026

Losing a loved one is hard enough. An inheritance dispute can make it so much harder.

A disagreement over a will, a concern about how an estate is being managed, or a feeling that someone wasn't adequately provided for can quickly turn grief into conflict.

But it doesn't have to end up in court.

Many estate disputes in Ontario can be resolved through negotiation or mediation, saving time, money, and family relationships in the process.

The key? Getting the right legal advice early.

Whether you're a beneficiary, an estate trustee, or someone with concerns about a loved one's will, understanding your rights and options from the start puts you in the best possible position.

Reach out today! We'll help you navigate this with clarity and compassion.

05/18/2026

Happy Victoria Day!

Today marks the unofficial start of summer — and we are ready! Whether you're firing up the grill, heading to the cottage, or simply enjoying a well-deserved day off, we hope it's a good one.

From our team to yours, have a happy and safe long weekend!

05/12/2026

HST is one of the most misunderstood costs in Ontario real estate transactions.

Whether you're purchasing a newly built home, buying an assignment, or completing a substantial renovation, understanding who pays HST and when a rebate applies can save you thousands of dollars.

Here's a quick breakdown:
⏩ New Homes: HST applies to the purchase price of newly built homes in Ontario. However, buyers may qualify for the New Home HST Rebate if the home will be used as their primary place of residence or the primary residence of a qualifying family member.
⏩ Assignments: The seller is responsible for collecting and remitting the HST on the profit to the CRA. The buyer pays the HST on the purchase price and may be eligible for the New Home HST Rebate.
⏩ Substantial Renovations: A renovation that meets the CRA's definition of "substantial" (where 90% or more of the interior of a building has been renovated) is treated similarly to a new home for HST purposes. Buyers may be eligible for the New Home HST Rebate.

The rules around HST in real estate are complex, and the cost of getting it wrong can be significant. Whether you're a buyer, seller, builder, or investor, understanding your obligations before closing is essential.

Contact us to add clarity to your transaction.

05/10/2026

Happy Mother’s Day from RBHF!

To the mothers, stepmothers, grandmothers, and every individual who has shown up with love and dedication in a mothering role — today is for you.

Whether you're celebrating, reflecting, or simply taking it one moment at a time, we hope today brings you something that feels good.

05/05/2026

Launching a new company with a partner?

The excitement of a new venture is real, but so are the risks of going in without the right legal protections.

A shareholder agreement sets the rules before things get complicated. It defines roles, protects investments, plans for exits, and gives you a roadmap for resolving disputes before they derail your business.

In Ontario, the default corporate rules may not reflect what you and your partners actually agreed to. A well-drafted shareholder agreement makes sure they do.

Don't wait until there's a problem. Put the right protections in place from day one.

Reach out, we can help!

04/27/2026

⚠️ Ontario's Construction Act changed on January 1, 2026.

Whether you're an owner, contractor, subcontractor, or supplier, these amendments affect how you get paid, how disputes are resolved, and how your projects run.

Here's a quick breakdown of the biggest changes:

🔵 Mandatory Annual Holdback Release: Owners must now release accrued holdback annually. No more waiting until substantial completion. A Notice of Annual Release of Holdback must be published within 14 days of the contract anniversary, with payment to follow within 60–74 days unless a lien has been preserved or perfected. Contractors must release their portion of the accrued holdback within 14 days of receiving their payment, subject to lien preservation.

🔵 Expanded Adjudication: The adjudication window has been extended to 90 days after contract completion, abandonment, or termination. Extension of time requests can now also be adjudicated, and a new class of private adjudicators trained by the Ontario Dispute Adjudication for Construction Contracts (ODACC) has been created to increase accessibility.

🔵 Proper Invoice Reform: If an owner doesn't dispute an invoice within 7 days of delivery, it's automatically deemed a "proper invoice,” triggering prompt payment obligations.

🔵 Lien & Trust Claims Can Now Be Joined: Lien claims and breach of trust claims can now be commenced in the same proceeding, simplifying enforcement for those owed money on a project.

The full impact of these changes won't be felt on most projects until 2027 but familiarizing yourself with these changes now, can help keep your projects moving forward.

04/20/2026

1 in 6 Canadians are affected by fertility challenges, and they shouldn't have to face it alone.

This week, hosted by Fertility Matters Canada, is all about breaking the stigma, spreading education, and showing up for those on this journey. We're proud to stand behind that mission.

If surrogacy or donation is part of your path forward, navigating the legal side can feel overwhelming — but it doesn't have to be.

We're here to guide you through every step with the care, respect, and compassion you deserve.

04/14/2026

When a borrower defaults on their mortgage, lenders have two options to recover what they're owed: Power of Sale or Foreclosure. And in Ontario, one is almost always chosen over the other.

Here's why:

🔵 Power of Sale allows the lender to sell the property without court approval, making it faster, less expensive, and more straightforward. Any surplus after the debt is repaid goes back to the borrower. Similarly, any shortfall lands on the borrower.

🔵 Foreclosure transfers full ownership of the property to the lender through the courts. It's a lengthy, expensive process and rarely used in Ontario.

For lenders, Power of Sale is the clear choice. For borrowers, understanding the process is critical because the timeline moves quickly and your rights have limits.

If you're facing a Power of Sale or navigating a mortgage default, don't wait. The sooner you get legal advice, the more options you have.

Have questions? Reach out — we're here to help you understand your options.

04/09/2026

Thinking of using ChatGPT for simple legal matters? Read this first.

More and more people are turning to AI tools to answer legal questions, draft agreements, or build legal strategies. It's fast, free, and sounds convincing. But it can be misleading.

The truth? AI is designed to generate text that sounds correct, not text that is correct.

AI can:

❌ Cite cases or statutes that don't exist
❌ Apply laws from the wrong jurisdiction
❌ Miss critical deadlines or contractual terms
❌ Create documents that fall apart under scrutiny

Ontario law is complex, contextual, and constantly evolving. AI simply isn't equipped to navigate that and the consequences of getting it wrong can be serious and irreversible.

AI can be a helpful starting point. But when it comes to protecting your rights, there is no substitute for qualified legal advice.

Address

P. O. Box 1567, 89 Clarence Street
Kingston, ON
K7L5C8

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Telephone

+16135462147

Website

http://www.rbhf.ca/

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