Here’s some great advice when you’re buying: have money set aside for more than just your down payment. You will have fees and adjustments to pay immediately on closing, and I can almost guarantee you will have something to pay within a few months of moving in. Even...
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cesia@wall-arm.ca
Getting married? Get a will.
Last week, I wrote about the dangers of being common law without a will. This week, it’s about being married – specifically, what to do once you’re getting married to prepare yourself financially. Here are some tips: Think seriously about getting a cohabitation...
From Heaven to Hell: vertical limits of property ownership
I love the podcast 99% Invisible, and I also subscribe to their newsletter. A while back, they did an article on how far up and down your property ownership goes. I can’t do better than them, so here is a link to the article on this fascinating topic.
Common law? Get a will!
Sometimes I feel like a broken record, but it bears repeating: common law couples in Ontario do not have any inheritance rights. If you do not have a will, you are not legally married, and any assets are only in one name, then you will inherit nothing from your...
Don’t DIY
I hear all the time about people who want to save a bit of money on will preparation, so they do their will themselves, or get a kit, or do an online program. The problem is that, while they do save money on the drafting, they end up costing their estate far more in...
Choose your condo wisely, and other good advice to avoid going to court
I have nothing to add to this article, which features advice from excellent condo lawyer Chris Jaglowitz. If you're looking to buy a condo, keep all of this in mind.
A little preparation goes a long way
If you ask most people, they would prefer that none of their hard-earned assets end up wasted on taxes or professional fees, or simply squandered, when they are passing them on to the next generation. Unfortunately, however, these things often happen, especially as...
What questions do people forget to ask when buying a house?
Buying a house can be both exciting and scary. Whether it’s your first home or your fourth, there are some questions that you should definitely consider as you start looking. Lifehacker asked people a while ago what they were glad they asked when they bought a house....
DIY
I’ve talked about doing your will yourself many times before, and I always start by saying I’m biased in this regard, because I am. I draft wills for a living, so I obviously am going to recommend getting a lawyer to draft your will instead of doing it yourself. But...
I’m back!
I haven't blogged in a really long time. Life got very busy last year - real estate was quite busy in the summer, plus I was expecting my second child. I'm now back to work after welcoming a daughter into our family last fall, and I'm ready to get back into blogging...