Articles
Courts will remain open for business (somewhat) during COVID-19
The operation of Ontario's courts has, like everything in our lives, been severely affected by the COVID-19 emergency.
On March 16, it was announced that effective the next day, live, in-person hearings of all types across the province would cease and all matters scheduled to the end of May would be adjourned to a date to be set after June 1, 2020. No new matters would be scheduled in the regular course until sometime after the court resumed regular operations. In extremely limited circumstances, the courts would continue to hear urgent matters on a discretionary basis.
This was an unprecedented closure of Ontario's courts, and was unknown territory for lawyers and the public. While access to justice is far from perfect in Ontario, and delays in securing hearing dates are more than familiar to us as lawyers, the ability to actually "get into court" is something that we never thought we would have taken for granted.
KARON BALES SELECTED FOR THE 14TH EDITION OF THE BEST LAWYERS IN CANADA - 2020
August 21, 2019. Congratulations to Karon Bales on her selection by her peers for inclusion in the 14th Edition of The Best Lawyers in Canada.
Karon has been listed in Best Lawyers – Canada since 2006 for Family Law Mediation, Trusts & Estates and Family Law.
https://www.bestlawyers.com/lawyers/karon-c-bales/57678
Bales Beall LLP Estates and Familly Law Newsletter - February 2019 - Frequently Asked (Executor) Questions
(1) What is Probate and do I have to apply for it?
Although a Will becomes effective upon death, in the vast majority of cases, it is necessary to have the Will probated. Probate refers to a process whereby the Court issues a document known as a "Certificate of Appointment of Estate Trustee" (previously known as "Letters Probate"). This document is court confirmation to third parties that the executor named in the Will has the authority to deal with estate assets.
Obtaining a Certificate of Appointment of Estate Trustee is usually necessary if the deceased owned certain assets in his or her name alone at death, which include bank accounts, investment accounts and real estate located in Ontario. There are exceptions to this general rule and we encourage you to speak with a lawyer in order to determine if probate is necessary.
Bales Beall LLP has been chosen as one of the top 10 Wills Trusts and Estates boutiques for 2018
Bales Beall LLP has been chosen as one of the top 10 Wills Trusts and Estates boutiques for 2018 by Canadian Lawyer Magazine!
Read more here.Karon Bales selected for the 13th Edition of The Best Lawyers in Canada - 2019
Congratulations to Karon Bales on her selection by her peers for inclusion in the 13th Edition of The Best Lawyers in Canada.
Karon has been listed in Best Lawyers – Canada since 2006 for Family Law Mediation, Trusts & Estates and Family Law (2018.)
https://www.bestlawyers.com/lawyers/karon-c-bales/57678
Will expansion become a reality? featuring Karon C. Bales
Karon Bales, managing partner of Bales Beall LLP in Toronto, is supportive of the move to expand the unified courts throughout the province, but she remains skeptical that the federal and provincial governments will actually reach that goal.
“I remember when it first started in Hamilton, we were told to expect a rollout across the province very quickly,” she says.
She also says there are other issues that cause frustration for lawyers and litigants.
Hidden issues arising out of second and third marriages and also divorce - Kristine J. Anderson on Caregiving Matters' Podcast
Have you ever thought of what second and third marriages and also divorce can do to an estate plan? These are important life developments that need to be included in estate plans. To help us better understand these issues, Kristine J. Anderson who is a partner with the law firm of Bales Beall LLP, based in Toronto, Ontario speaks to some of the issues surrounding this topic.
Read more here.