McConnan Bion O’Connor & Peterson has an extensive estate and trust practice and has been assisting families with their estate matters, small and large, simple and complex. We provide assistance to survivors in administering an estate including preparing the necessary documentation to apply for probate or administration of the estate. We make sure that the administration of the estate moves along as quickly and efficiently as is possible. Read more…

McConnan Bion O’Connor & Peterson has an extensive estate and trust practice and has been assisting families with their estate matters, small and large, simple and complex. We provide assistance to survivors in administering an estate including preparing the necessary documentation to apply for probate or administration of the estate. We make sure that the administration of the estate moves along as quickly and efficiently as is possible. We discuss the fees that will be incurred with respect to the administration of the estate up front so there are no surprises for the executors or the beneficiaries. Read more…

There are a number of basic steps we can take while we are alive to ensure that some of those best laid plans that we have are carried through even if we become incapable, for whatever reason, of taking care of ourselves. While people often think of what will happen to their assets when they die, they do not often consider what will happen to their assets if they become incapable of managing those assets themselves. At McConnan Bion O’Connor & Peterson, we can give you advice on what steps you should take now to ensure that your assets and your family are protected if something unforeseen happens to you that leaves you in a condition that prevents you from exercising control over your affairs. Read more…

You may have seen recently the advertisements on television encouraging people to buy a “will kit” to complete their wills. They are marketed as a cheap alternative to having a lawyer or notary prepare your will, the idea being that you will not only have a will (which you should have), but you will also save money. It probably sounds self-serving for a lawyer to tell you to avoid “will kits”, but in this article we will attempt to tell you why we believe using a “will kit” is a false economy. While you may save a little bit of money, there is a very good chance you will be creating expensive problems for your heirs. Read more…

What does McConnan Bion O’Connor & Peterson do for a client purchasing a home?

First of all, we make a full review of your Contract of Purchase and Sale and if you are obtaining a mortgage, we review the mortgage instructions, and we diarize crucial dates with respect to the closing of your purchase.

We then carry out a search of the title to the property at the Land Title Office and do a thorough review of all encumbrances that are registered against the title to the property, such as restrictive covenants, easements and rights of way. We will provide you with a preliminary report as to the title of the property and provide you with copies of all of the relevant encumbrances. Read more…

A question that is frequently asked is:

“What is the difference between an ‘employee’ and an ‘independent contractor”? The answer can have significant financial and legal implications to individuals and businesses.

The Employment Standards Act (the “Act”) has a broad definition of employee as being someone who works for another, for wages, doing work normally done by an employee. An employee includes a person on leave from an employer and a person who has a right of recall (i.e. the right to be called back within a specified time following layoff). Read more…

The Importance of a Separation Agreement

Frequently when a person decides their marriage is over they immediately think – I need a divorce. While it may in fact be true that they need a divorce this is not their true short-term need. In most cases a divorce is not even immediately available. A person ending a marriage really needs a separation agreement.
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