In the 2011 Ontario budget, the Ontario government indicated that they would tighten the probate filing rules to enhance compliance by transferring administration of the Estate Administration Tax from the Ministry of the Attorney General to the Ministry of Revenue and Finance. This change received royal assent in 2011 and was announced in force January 1st, 2015. Effective January 1st, 2015, the Ministry of Finance now has a more defined process for assessing and collecting the Estate Administration Tax (EAT). Read more
In our last blog we spoke about Ontario Probate becoming the Estate Administration Tax, the Certificate of Appointment of Estate Trustee and the importance of this certificate to confirm the appointment of an Estate Trustee. This certificate authorizes the Estate Trustee to work on behalf of the deceased and start the process of closing the estate. Further to this, effective January 1, 2015, the Ontario Ministry of Finance implemented new Estate Filing Rules for people acting as an Estate Trustee in Ontario, for estates valued at greater than $1,000.00. Read more
In the Province of Ontario regulations, the Ontario Disability Support Payment (ODSP) is a monthly payment, paid out to people who are found to be a “person with a disability” as defined under the Ontario Disability Support Program Act. A person with a disability is someone who has a substantial physical or mental impairment that is continuous or recurrent and is expected to last a year or more. The physical or mental impairment must directly result in a substantial restriction in the person’s ability to work, take care of his or her self, or take part in community life. Additionally, the Province of Ontario regulations state that the impairment(s), its’ duration, and the restriction(s) must also be verified by an approved health care professional. Are you concerned about protecting this payment? Read more
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In honour of Remembrance Day, I thought I would share this article from The Bugler that was published in 2011. There are still many people who are not aware of this Canadian and Allied Veteran Funeral and Burial Program, which the Last Post Fund delivers on behalf of Veterans Affairs Canada. Please click on the images below to enlarge them for easier reading. Read more
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I am thrilled to introduce you to the CICEA and let you know that I successfully completed the 30 hour on-line course offered by the Canadian Institute of Certified Estate Advisors and successfully completed the Certified Executor Advisor Examination.
As the first licensed Funeral Director in Ontario with the CEA designation, I can be a great resource to my clients and community.
The recent state funeral to honour the former Federal Finance Minister Mr. Jim Flaherty, peaked my interest as to how a State Funeral is organized in Canada.
Under the asepsis of the Department of Canadian Heritage (DCH), a state funeral is a public event, held to honour and commemorate present and former Governors Generals, Prime Ministers and sitting members of the Ministry. Also a state funeral may be offered to an eminent Canadian at the discretion of the Prime Minister. A State funeral offered, organized and executed by the Government of Canada – Governor General-in-Council, with the DCH as the lead agency, offers the public an opportunity to pay their respects to the deceased.
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In December 2013, there were about 1.4 million unclaimed balances worth approximately $532 million dollars on the books with the Bank of Canada*. Unclaimed balances on deposit with the Bank of Canada include Canadian dollar deposits of a negotiable instrument issued or held by the federally regulated banks and trust companies. These funds can be in the form of a deposit account, bank draft, certified cheque, deposit receipts, money order, GIC, term deposit, credit card balance, or traveller’s cheque. Have you ever wondered if you have a dormant bank account?
Where there has been no owner activity or the owner cannot be contacted by the financial institution, the institution will hold the funds on account for 10 years. After 10 years, the balance is transferred on December 31st of the 10th year to the Bank of Canada. The Bank of Canada will hold deposits under $1,000.00 for 30 years, and deposits over $1,000.00 for 100 years from the date of transfer from the holding Financial Institution. Over 93% of unclaimed balances’ are under $1000.00, representing 29% of the total value on account with the Bank of Canada. Read more
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Last week I worked with two adult daughters who want to send their mother’s cremated remains back to Poland.
There are two scenarios to consider. One is when taking the cremated remains personally and the second is if the cremated remains are going to be shipped to Poland.
The role and responsibilities of The Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee (OPGT), under the auspices of the Ministry of the Attorney General – Family Justice Services Division in Ontario, are to safeguard the legal, personal and financial interest of private individuals and estates. The focus here is on the private individual.
Recently two people shared with me that they had to go through this process with the OPGT office to be appointed Guardian for their mother and aunt respectively. The process was time consuming, emotionally draining and cost several thousands of dollars.
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People often ask if you are allowed to fly with cremated remains and what the airport or government regulations would be. The answer is, yes, you can fly with cremated remains. Often people want to take their loved one home and bury, scatter or entomb their cremated remains outside of Canada. Cremation containers are allowed on the plane with you providing you meet certain criteria.
In addition to accompanying documentation such as the: Cremation Certificate and Funeral Directors Proof of Death and Letter of Contents; x-ray screening of cremated remains will be taken at pre-boarding airport security checkpoints, to ensure there are not prohibited items inside the remains.
On July 26, 2013 Transport Canada (TC) released regulatory changes requiring the Canada Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) to follow these procedures regarding the X- ray screening of cremation containers in checked baggage or carry- on baggage.