Estate Litigation Update 2014


Course Date: October 23, 2014

Welcome and Introduction

Helen H. Low — Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP, Vancouver

Wills Variation Update

  • recent cases
  • recent trends related to awards of costs
  • WESA transition
  • abatement of settlement

Hugh S. McLellan — McLellan Herbert, Vancouver

When Good Planning is not Enough

  • when is a good estate plan no longer “bullet proof”
  • strategies to set aside estate plans to disinherit
  • Mordo, Mawdsley and Easingwood  issues

Peter J. Glowacki — Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, Vancouver 
M. Scott Kerwin — Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, Vancouver

Networking Break

Mediation/Arbitration/Settlement Conferences

  • using the best process in the appropriate case
  • preparation for the proceeding
  • promoting a consent resolution—what works
  • documenting the settlement

The Honourable Marion J. Allan — Clark Wilson LLP, Vancouver
Roger D. Lee — Davis LLP, Vancouver

Solicitor-Client Privilege—What Does that Mean in Estate Litigation

  • how to secure a lawyer’s file in estate litigation
  • who holds the privilege and who can waive it
  • what attack can be made when the file is released

Scott Cordell — Killam Cordell Murray, Vancouver

Networking Lunch 

Rectification of Trusts and Wills

  • how can applications for rectification be made
  • the applicable law—when it works and when it doesn’t
  • other options

Amy D. Francis — Legacy Tax + Trust Lawyers, Vancouver
Ian Worland — Legacy Tax + Trust Lawyers, Vancouver

Reining in the Rogue Trustee/Executor

  • what conduct warrants removal or other relief

Stanley T. Rule — Sabey Rule LLP, Kelowna

Using Unjust Enrichment as a Remedy in Estate Litigation

  • current state of the law
  • when is this remedy most effective to plead
  • elements of unjust enrichment
  • joint family ventures after Kerr v. Baronow 2011 SCC 10

Andrew S. MacKay — Alexander Holburn Beaudin + Lang LLP, Vancouver

Networking Break

The Family Law Act in Trust and Estate Litigation

  • the interplay between the FLA and WESA
    • loss of estate rights upon spousal separation
    • what constitutes separation
  • “family violence” under the FLA: a new tool in relation to vulnerable adults?

Anna Laing — Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP, Vancouver

Protecting Vulnerable Adults

  • the PGT’s role
  • the new provisions under the Adult Guardianship Act
  • available community resources

Leanne Dospital — Regional Manager, Services to Adults, Public Guardian and Trustee of BC, Vancouver
Sarah Watson — Solicitor to the Public Guardian and Trustee, Services to Adults, Public Guardian and Trustee of BC, Vancouver


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