Ahluwalia V. Ahluwalia: A New Path To Justice Or An Uncertain Road Ahead?

Ahluwalia V. Ahluwalia: A New Path To Justice Or An Uncertain Road Ahead?

The Supreme Court of Canada has released one of the most significant family law decisions in recent years. In Ahluwalia v Ahluwalia 2026 SCC 16, the Court formally recognized a new civil tort of intimate partner violence, creating a new legal avenue for survivors of intimate partner violence to seek damages.

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When Support Doesn’t End at Death: How Family Law can become Estate Litigation in Ontario

When Support Doesn’t End at Death: How Family Law can become Estate Litigation in Ontario

People often assume that when someone dies, their financial obligations die with them.

In Ontario, that is not always true. If someone was paying (or, was supposed to be paying) spousal support or child support before they died, those obligations can continue. The dispute just shifts from family court to estate litigation. These situations mainly arise after separation in blended families where support was never fully resolved before death.

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Compelling Unresponsive Estate Trustees to Act

Compelling Unresponsive Estate Trustees to Act

An order to accept or refuse appointment under Rule 74.15(1)(a) or (b) of the Rules of Civil Procedure is an under-utilized tool in estate litigation. It allows an interested party to compel the estate trustee, either named in a will or acting as an estate trustee, to seek a certificate of appointment.

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Sealing off the court from the public eye – what is the risk v. benefit?

Sealing off the court from the public eye – what is the risk v. benefit?

The Supreme Court of Canada released its decision in Sherman Estate v. Donovan 2021 SCC 25 in June of 2021. This case concerns the unresolved homicide of Bernard and Honey Sherman, who were found dead in their Toronto home in December of 2017. The couple’s estate and estate trustees attempted to stem the intense press scrutiny prompted by the events. At issue was the probate of a million, if not the billion-dollar estate.

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