As an update to our previous post advising of an increase to registration fees charged by the Land Titles Office for transfers of land and mortgages, the Government of Alberta has recently confirmed that the changes will take effect on October 20, 2024. The levy increase, introduced by the Financial Statutes Amendment Act, 2024, which […]
Navigating Commercial Leases
Commercial leasing is a vital aspect of business operations, offering companies the opportunity to secure suitable spaces for their operations. While commercial leases come in all different shapes and sizes, a quality commercial lease considers the rights and obligations of both parties, to each other, as well as to any potential third-party stakeholders – such […]
Alert: Upcoming Increases to Land Titles Office Registration Fees
On February 29, 2024, the Government of Alberta announced increases to the Land Titles Office (LTO) registration fees, which will affect both property transfers and mortgage registrations. These changes, outlined in the 2024 Budget “Fiscal Plan 2024-27”, will have implications for individuals engaging in real estate transactions across the province. Currently, the LTO registration fees […]
Property Rights Statutes Amendment Act, 2022 – an Update to Adverse Possession Law in Alberta
The Alberta Property Rights Statutes Amendment Act, 2022 (the “Act”), came into force on December 15, 2022. The Act amends three existing Alberta statutes: the Land Titles Act, the Law of Property Act and the Limitations Act, with the effect of updating the law regarding adverse possession in order to protect registered private landowners’ property […]
How to Split Assets in a Divorce
Many people going through a divorce may experience a whirlwind of emotions and feelings. But divorce can also bring a lot of anxiety and confusion, mainly around who gets what. Splitting assets in a divorce can be a complex process. For this reason, seeking the guidance of a legal professional can help ensure that your […]
When Does the Dower Act Apply in Real Estate Transaction?
The Dower Act has been in place in Alberta for over a century and was originally designed to protect the rights of a wife who was unable to own property. If the husband decided to sell the property, the wife could not be evicted. This legislation was created in response to the possibility of a […]
New Residential Anti-Flipping Rules Implemented By Federal Government
The Federal government’s new anti-flipping tax rules were passed into law on December 15, 2022 when Bill C-32 received Royal Assent and was legislated as the Fall Economic Statement Implementation Act, 2022. These rules have essentially increased the cost of house flipping in Canada. Under the Act, a “flipped property” means “a housing unit of […]
The Prohibition on the Purchase of Residential Property by Non-Canadians Act
The Prohibition on the Purchase of Residential Property by Non-Canadians Act (the “Act“) and the Prohibition on the Purchase of Residential Property by Non-Canadians Regulations (the “Regulations”) (collectively, the “Legislation”) came into force on January 1, 2023 and affect contracts for the purchase of residential property entered into after this date. The Act prohibits non-Canadians […]
What Happens If Your Spouse Refuses to Sign a Separation Agreement in Alberta?
Most people believe that if they’re married and want to end their marriage, divorce is the easy solution. While this is true for the majority of married couples, the solution may not be so straightforward. Separation or annulment are alternatives to divorce. If you and your spouse are separating, you must have a signed separation […]
Estate Planning: What Is a Personal Directive?
The first thing that typically comes to mind when people think about estate planning is a will. Although a legally valid and up-to-date will is a necessary component of estate planning, it’s far from sufficient. A will only protects your interests after you die; it does not protect your interests if you lose capacity and […]
