Angela Lam, Lawyer - Estates and Trusts at Stainton, Murray & Lam

04/01/2022

What a surprise and honour to receive this in my inbox this morning, and what a privilege to be included in what is undoubtedly an illustrious group of Canadian Women Entrepreneurs. ❤️ 🙈

01/12/2022

Deepest apologies for delays in responses and files...been a veritable gongshow since they shut down school again on Jan 3, and previous to that, kids were in isolation due to positive cases in their classrooms since Dec 7, and on top of that we have had a family medical emergency. Trying to work in the evenings when your brain is mush has not been sustainable...and unfortunately for those who require immediate attention, I will need to refer you. I am not confident in doing my best work given the current situation and I appreciate your understanding and patience while we all try to navigate what seems to be an unending pandemic. Fingers crossed that we DO return to in class learning on Jan 17, and again, I appreciate your understanding, patience and support!

12/30/2021

Effective Jan 1, 2022...the rule that marriage voids all wills in Ontario will no longer be true. After Jan 1, remarriage will only void any provisions made for the former spouse, and will not void any provisions made for children, for example. This new legislation protects vulnerable adults, such as seniors, from "predatory marriages" (here's looking at you, Anna Nicole Smith!) since previously, spousal rights would take precedent where someone dies intestate (I.e. dying after remarrying without executing a new will).

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/investing/personal-finance/household-finances/article-ontarios-jan-1-law-change-will-affect-wills-of-divorced-people/

12/07/2021

Hello all - just when things were starting to feel like they were getting back to normal, I received notice that my daughter's class has received a positive test result and the entire class will be in self-isolation for the next 10 days. I kindly ask for your patience as I try to re-arrange all booked appointments to accommodate the need to have one parent home during this time, and appreciate your understanding!

09/10/2021

School is BACK IN SESSION, and I'm back at the office full time :)

04/12/2021

As most of you have heard, Ford announced today that in-person learning, which, for me, included before and after care, is shuttered "indefinitely". This is a heavy blow, and I empathize with all the working parents out there, especially those in essential occupations, who cannot always work from home. For over a year now, I've tried to balance the requirements of continuing with my work obligations while also being a full time mom, and it's frustrating at times, and definitely tiring. It's also not sustainable to continue wearing so many hats. For the foreseeable future, I will unfortunately need to reduce the files I have carriage of for estates planning, but will continue with estates administration. We will also continue with real estate transactions, as I have my wonderful real estate clerk, Grace, to assist me. I apologize in advance if I may need to refuse new estate planning requests, or if appointments may be delayed, but my top priority is to maintain a high standard of legal work with respect to my drafting, while also being cognizant that my husband and I will need to find a sustainable balance with our children being home for the foreseeable future, and the expectations that we are both essential workers who need to fulfil our professional obligations.

I thank you all in advance for your patience and understanding, and I hope that one day soon, we will all be able to return to (if albeit a "new") normal. Stay safe, and stay well.

03/26/2021

The new simplified probate process for estates under $150k goes into effect on Tuesday, April 1, 2021! All filings under the simplified process must use the new forms under the Rules of Civil Procedure, and filing may be made in person at the Court or via online submission. Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions.

03/10/2021

Changes to the Succession Law Reform Act, effective March 1, now increases the preferential share of surviving spouses to $350,000 from $200,000 in an intestacy.

Ontario raised preferential share to $350,000 as of March 1

02/20/2021

HUGE proposed reforms coming in estate law!

On February 16th, Ontario’s Attorney General, Doug Downey, moved for the first reading of Bill 245, the Accelerated Access to Justice Act, 2021.

02/18/2021

New simplied process for probate on "small estates"! On February 12, the Ministry of the Attorney General filed two regulations to establish a small estate process in Ontario. Namely, this established a simplified probate process for estates valued at up to $150,000, effective April 1, 2021.

02/16/2021

TDSB resumes tomorrow, and I am looking forward to being back at the office full time!

Estate planning intakes are currently booking for the week of March 1 via zoom or in-person attendance.

Stay safe, and stay well!

02/06/2021

Hope everyone is staying well AND sane, two months into 2021! This year, so far, has been challenging with continued lockdowns and school closures, but with the announcement yesterday that in person learning will resume February 16 for the TDSB, I'm sure parents everywhere (myself included!) are breathing huge sighs of relief at some return to normalcy.

I will be returning to the office on a full time basis when school re-opens, but please note that all emergency by-laws have been extended by the City until June, which means that ex*****on of documents, including real estate closings and estates, will continue to be done electronically and remotely where possible to minimize contact. In person meetings will continue to be by appointment only, and we strongly discourage any walk-ins for notarizations, appointment scheduling, etc. until further notice.

Will intakes are currently booking for the week of February 22.

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for your continued support and patience during this (still) challenging time.

Stay safe, and stay well!