• Advance Care Planning

    McMaster, McIntyre & Smyth, LLP

    Advance Care Planning

    70% of Canadians die in hospital, and for 10-15 % their last admission is to the Intensive Care Unit. This occurs despite the fact that most report that they would prefer to die at home, with comfort measures only.

    In 2016, 4.2 % or fewer Torontonians over the age of 18, regardless of their health status, survived CPR (or Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation) attempts in the home, with survival being defined as being able to leave the hospital after the event. Research indicates that the public’s impression of the survival rate of CPR from watching TV and movies is about 70%. 4.2 vs 70%— that’s a big discrepancy.

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  • Season’s Greetings From McMaster, McIntyre & Smyth, LLP

    McMaster, McIntyre & Smyth, LLP

    McMaster - Month Holiday 2021 Blog - Blog Banner

    The McMaster, McIntyre & Smyth, LLP team wishes you the happiest of holidays this season. May the New Year be filled with joy, health, and prosperity!

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  • James Alexander SMYTH 1947 - 2021

    External Author

    James Alexander SMYTH 1947 - 2021

    Original Article Source Credits: Legacy, https://www.legacy.com/

    Article Written By: N/A

    Original Article Posted on: April 21, 2021.

    Link to Original Article: https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/theglobeandmail/obituary.aspx?

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  • Estate Planning Seminar - June 19, 2019

    Alan Kay

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    TONIGHT:  Alan Kay will be presenting on Wills and Powers of Attorney at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, 9860 Keele Street, Maple, ON L6A 3Y4. Wednesday, June 19, 2019 @ 7:30pm. Attendance is free and all member of the public are welcome. Topics include: Common Errors in Estate Planning - A Failure to Plan is a Plan for Failure What happens if you don't have a Will or Power of Attorney Preparing to Meet your Lawyer  Parking is available. Refreshments will be provided.

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  • UPDATE: If you have Multiple Wills, they should be reviewed

    Alan Kay

    In Ontario, a person can have multiple Wills.  Having multiple Wills is an effective means of estate planning and avoiding or minimizing probate fees (also known as Estate Administration Tax).

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  • Dealing with Digital Assets in Your Estate

    Alan Kay

    While most of us do not think of our social media and digital presence when planning our estates, there can often be significant personal value (and sometimes monetary as well) in these accounts.  It is important to consider who can access these accounts when you pass away, and what they should do with them.  

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  • Top Five Things To Look For When Hiring a Barrister or Solicitor

    McMaster, McIntyre & Smyth, LLP

    Top Five Things To Look For When Hiring a Barrister or Solicitor

    Lawyers provide their clients with legal advice whenever needed. A ‘lawyer’ is a general term used when referring to people who represent clients in court and practice law. In more detail, 'Barristers' represent clients in open court and can appear at the bar, while ‘Solicitors’, are permitted to conduct litigation in court but cannot plead cases in open court.

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  • Short-Term Rentals and Home Sharing

    Alan Kay

    The home sharing market seems like it could be an easy way to supplement one’s income.  However, one should not jump into the market without first getting legal and tax advice.  Proponents of home sharing make it seem easy.  But you need to consider the issues: Municpal Regulation, Site-Specific Regulation, Financing and Insurance, Income Taxes, HST...

    Remember, home sharing and short-term rentals, even if in your primary residence, are commercial operations.  Treat them as such and get advice.

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  • What Our Customers are Saying About Us

    McMaster, McIntyre & Smyth, LLP

    What Our Customers are Saying About Us

    At McMaster, McIntyre & Smyth, LLP, we’re proud of the work that we do. But, instead of telling you why our customers love us, we’ll let them do the talking! Here’s what some of our customers are saying about us lately:

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  • Who is Your Spouse

    Alan Kay

    “Who is your spouse?”.   For many, it is a trick question because under Ontario law, a person may be your spouse for one purpose but not your spouse for another purpose and someone you thought is no longer your spouse may still be your spouse.

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  • Announcing the new website

    McMaster, McIntyre & Smyth, LLP

    We are delighted to announce the launch of our new website!

    Our new website provides our existing and prospective clients a simple yet interactive view of our work and the services we offer. 

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  • New Website Under Construction

    McMaster, McIntyre & Smyth, LLP

    New Website Coming Soon!

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  • Government Benefits for First Time Home Buyers

    McMaster, McIntyre & Smyth, LLP

    Purchasing a home is now more affordable due to recent government initiatives to assist first time home buyers. The Federal and Ontario governments have initiatives to assist first time home buyers. These include: New! - The Federal government announced in its 2009 budget the new Home Buyer Tax Credit for the 2009 tax year. If the proposal is enacted by Parliament, the credit will be worth up to $750 (15% of eligible expenses up to $5000) to offset the closing costs associated with the purchase of a home by first time home buyers. If there is more than one first-time home buyer,…

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