ONTARIO LEGAL CONFERENCE Family, Estates and Real Estate Law

DATE: February 7 - 8, 2024 Location: 200- 20 Toronto St, Toronto ON
Whether you are a general practitioner or a specialist practicing in residential real estate, estates or family law, it is essential that you have a comprehensive understanding of the myriad of ways in which these legal areas interact to ensure you are equipped to effectively represent your clients. Join us for this unique event as we bring together lawyers from across these practice areas to unravel the complexities, examine recent developments and better understand the impacts of other legal areas on your practice. Ensure that your legal toolkit is equipped with the key information, insights and strategies that you need to provide your clients with effective and timely advice. Plus get all your required CPD hours in one jam-packed program. If your practice touches on family, estates or real estate law, this is a critical event you cannot miss!

REGISTER NOW

Planning Committee

Kathryn Balter, Fogler, Rubinoff LLP
Marni Pernica, Aird & Berlis LLP
Andrew Fortis, Hummingbird Lawyers LLP
Emma Katz, Kelly D. Jordan Family Law Firm
Justyna Waxman, Torkin Manes LLP

Program Pricing

Program fees with meals
Orange Price Tag CBA Members: $660*
Green Price Tag CBA Student Members: $224*
Yellow Price Tag Non-Members: $1,014*
(includes e-materials access)
*plus applicable taxes

Program fees without meals
Orange Price Tag CBA Members: $610*
Green Price Tag CBA Student Members: $174*
Yellow Price Tag Non-Members: $964*

Family Estates and Real Estate Law 2024

Day 1 - February 7th, 2024

8:30 am

Registration and Coffee

9:00 am

February 7th

15 min professionalism

45 min substantive

What I Wish I Knew…

Join our expert panel of estates, family, and real estate lawyers as they share valuable advice on how critical issues in their own practice impact, and are impacted by, other legal areas. You’ll get critical insights on issues and implications to watch out for in your own practice.

Speakers:

Tamar Silverbrook, Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP (Moderator)
Manpreet Kaur Uppal, Lawrence, Lawrence, Stevenson LLP
Jennifer Reynolds, Fresh Legal
Brittany Sud, Miller Thomson LLP

FamilyPlenaryReal PropertyTrust & Estates

10:00 am

February 7th

15 min professionalism

45 min substantive

Capacity and Complex Issues in Family Law

Whether you are dealing with children, older adults or individuals with mental health challenges, capacity issues can arise in family law in a variety of ways. Join us for a deep dive into capacity in the context of family law, including:

Assessing capacity
The impact on complex financial decisions
The use of litigation guardians
What you need to know about expert opinions

Speakers:

Kathy Batycky, Stoner & Company Family Law Associates (Moderator)
Jane Stewart, Justice for Children and Youth
Amelia Yiu, Elm Law Professional Corporation

Family

10:00 am

February 7th

1 hour substantive

Avoiding Probate on Real Property: Key Considerations

Join our expert faculty to unravel the options for dealing with real property without going through probate. Gain insights into key issues, including:

Essential criteria for the First Dealings exemption
Effective tax planning and the use of secondary wills
What is the impact of adding a joint tenant?

Speakers:

Kathryn Balter, Fogler, Rubinoff LLP (Moderator)
Jennifer Corak, WeirFoulds LLP
Azra Manori, Hummingbird Lawyers LLP

Real PropertyTrust & Estates

11:00 am

Networking/Health Break

11:15 am

February 7th

45 min substantive

Unique Considerations for Recreational and Investment Properties

Whether acting for purchaser or vendor, ensure you are prepared to address the unique issues that may arise on complex matters involving recreational and investment properties, including:

Transactions involving non-residents
Effective use of co-ownership agreements
Important tax considerations
Off-title searches

Speakers:

Ryan Carson, Carson Law Office Professional Corporation
Andrew Fortis, Hummingbird Lawyers LLP (Moderator)
Cesia Green, Wall-Armstrong & Green

Real Property

11:15 am

February 7th

45 min substantive

Estate Freezes and Family Law Implications

An estate freeze is a useful tax planning structure; however, it can have significant family law implications that must be considered and addressed. Whether you are an estates or family lawyer, ensure you have the understanding to properly advise your clients on key issues, including:

Disclosure obligations
The impact of constructive trusts and beneficial ownership claims over gifted shares
The use of marriage contracts
Date of marriage deductions versus exclusions

Speakers:

Jesse Brodlieb, Wildeboer Dellelce LLP
Marni Pernica, Aird & Berlis LLP (Moderator)
Lorne Wolfson, Torkin Manes LLP

FamilyTrust & Estates

12:00pm

Networking Lunch

1:00 pm

February 7th

1 hour substantive

Current Trends and Case Law Update for Estates and Trusts Practitioners

Join us for an important review of key updates from the last year. Don’t miss this opportunity to get up to speed on the latest trends and critical cases impacting your practice!

Speakers:

Karen J. Hagman, MayLex Litigation
Darren Lund, Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP

Trust & Estates

1:00 pm

February 7th

1 hour substantive

Court Orders and Contents for Registration on Title

There are various circumstances in which a court order, such as a preservation order or vesting order, will be registered on title. Gather best practices and helpful advice on drafting, obtaining and registering orders on title. Plus, get expert guidance for handling transmission applications, survivorship applications, and family transfers.

Speakers:

Fay McFarlane, Fay A. Mcfarlane & Associates Professional Corporation
Charley Levitan, JJ Integrative Family Law LLP
Justyna Waxman, Torkin Manes LLP (Moderator)

FamilyReal Property

2:00 pm

February 7th

30 min substantive

Top Court of Appeal Cases

Hear about the most important recent decisions from the Court of Appeal that will impact your family law practice.

Speaker:

Helena Likwornik, Judicial Research Lawyer, Court of Appeal for Ontario

Family

2:30 pm

February 7th

30 min substantive

Divorce Act and Children’s Law Reform Act: Where are we now?

It has been three years since significant changes were made to federal and provincial family law legislation. How are the Courts applying these changes and how have they impacted family law practice?

Speaker:

Vanessa Lam, Lam Family Law

Family

2:00 pm

February 7th

1 hour substantive

Joint Tenancy and Trust Claims

Is it a trust or a gift? Join our expert panel to take a closer look at joint tenancy and trust claims, including:

What presumption applies?
Rebutting the presumption
Tips and traps to watch out for

Speakers:

Raphael Tachie, Gowling WLG (Moderator)
Kim Whaley, WEL Partners
Zahra Ziaie Moayyed, ROSEFINCH PC

Real PropertyTrust & Estates

3:00 pm

Networking/Health Break

3:15 pm

February 7th

15 min professionalism

45 min substantive

Purchasing Property for or with Children

With high housing costs and an ever-changing real estate market, many parents are choosing to purchase (or assist with purchasing) property for or with their children. This can raise a myriad of legal issues across real estate, estates and family law. Ensure you are ready to advise your clients on the unique and complex issues with this valuable panel.

Speakers:

William Abbott, MacDonald & Partners LLP
Kristine Anderson, Fern Law (Moderator)
Mobina Basiri, Cactus Law

FamilyPlenaryReal PropertyTrust & Estates

4:15 pm

February 7th

45 min professionalism

Top 10 Practice Management Tips

You won’t want to miss this opportunity to gather key insights and top tips for effective practice management. Implement this advice in your own practice today!

Speakers:

Georgina Carson, Carson Chousky Lein LLP
Nick Esterbauer, Hull & Hull LLP
Raymond G. Leclair, LAWPRO
Joel Kadish, Kadish Law Professional Corporation
Christine Marchetti, Marchetti Family Law & Mediation (Moderator)

FamilyPlenaryReal PropertyTrust & Estates

5:00 pm

February 7th

Networking Reception

Don’t miss our Intersections Networking reception at the end of Day 1. Build relationships with criminal lawyers and grow your referral network, in addition to continuing your conversations with fellow attendees across family, estates and real estate practices. Take advantage of this special event to grow your connections with legal colleagues in other practice areas.

Hosted by: Leap Logo

Networking

Day 2 - February 8TH, 2024

9:00 am

February 8th

1 hour substantive

Will Validation, Substantial Compliance and Electronic Documents: Updates and Future Changes

How has the law developed since Succession Law Reform Act changes permitting “substantial compliance” for Wills came into effect? Get up to speed on:

Important case law developments
How other provinces have applied substantial compliance legislation
The future of electronic Wills in Ontario

Speakers:

Krystyne Rusek, Speigel Nichols Fox LLP (Moderator)
Liza Saad, Tupman & Bloom LLP
Demetre Vasilounis, Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP

Trust & Estates

9:00 am

February 8th

1 hour substantive

Purchasing Property for or with Children: A Closer Look

Take a deep dive on the details you need to know when clients are purchasing property with children or providing funds to assist in doing so, including:

Understanding bank requirements
Knowing when to use gift letters
Should you register a mortgage?

Speakers:

Ilana Arje-Goldenthal, Frodis Family Law (Moderator)
Mark Giavedoni, Gowling WLG
Laurie Pawlitza, Torkin Manes LLP

FamilyReal Property

10:00 am

Networking/Health Break

10:15 am

February 8th

45 min substantive

What’s New in Real Estate?

Stay current with this helpful session. Join our experts as they review what’s new in real estate, including recent changes to the rules for real estate professionals and brokerages.

Speaker:

Mitchell Leitman, Rasmussen Starr Ruddy LLP
Safiyya Vankalwala, LAWPRO

Real Property

10:15 am

February 8th

45 min substantive

Equalization and Support After Death

Ensure you have the knowledge you need to properly advise your clients on equalization and support options to ensure they are protected on the death of a spouse, including:

Elections under section 6 of the Family Law Act
Dependant support claims
Security for support

Speakers:

Benjamin Arkin, Arkin Furrow Estate Law LLP (Moderator)
Noah Kochman, Donovan Kochman Law
Zahra Taseer, Simpson Taseer LLP

FamilyTrust & Estates

11:00 am

February 8th

15 min EDI

30 min professionalism

Family Dynamics

Family dynamics can play a central role in shaping the outcome of a legal matter, particularly in the areas of estates, family and residential real estate law. Join us to learn how lawyers can better understand and respond to the unique needs of clients and their family relationships, including how to use a trauma-informed approach.

Speakers:

Kavita Bhagat, Kavita V. Bhagat Family Law Solutions
Alex Procope, Perez Bryan Procope LLP (Moderator)
Gosha Sekhon, Sekhon Legal Services

FamilyPlenaryReal PropertyTrust & Estates

12:15 pm

February 8th

45 min EDI

INTERSECTIONS NETWORKING LUNCH and KEYNOTE ADDRESS

Build your referral network as you enjoy a meal with fellow attendees as well as Municipal, Planning and Environmental Lawyers at our Intersections Networking Lunch.

Then join us for our keynote address on Working Toward Neurodiversity Inclusion to learn what neurodiversity is, why it is important to understand and how neurodiverse inclusion can have a positive impact in your workplace.

Hear from Wanda Deschamps as she shares valuable insights drawn from research, trends and current practices centred on the IDEA (Inclusion-Diversity-Equity-Accessibility) framework, as well as her own story of how her undiagnosed autism caused her to be misunderstood - especially in the workplace. You’ll gain insights into what challenges can occur when someone is not diagnosed and the differences after they have a diagnosis and the proper supports.

Speaker:

Wanda Deschamps, Founder and Principal, Liberty Co