My partner is physically and emotionally abusive and I want to leave. Can I still get custody of my children and support in Nova Scotia?

/ Highlander Law Group/
My partner is physically and emotionally abusive and I want to leave. Can I still get custody of my children and support in Nova Scotia?

If you are experiencing any form of abuse from a partner, you should know that it is not your fault. If you wish to leave an abusive relationship, it’s important to know that your ability to have custody of your children and your entitlement to spousal and/or child support are not affected in Nova Scotia by the fact that you have experienced abuse.

Read More

What are my options if I was promised family land in Nova Scotia but the Will leaves the land to someone else?

/ Highlander Law Group/
What are my options if I was promised family land in Nova Scotia but the Will leaves the land to someone else?

The important thing to remember in a circumstance such as this one is that a person can only direct who inherits their estate assets with a Will. The critical question to determine is, did the property belong to the testator at the time of his death, or was he only holding it in trust for the person he promised it to?

Read More

How is Probate Tax Calculated in Nova Scotia?

/ Highlander Law Group/
How is Probate Tax Calculated in Nova Scotia?

Probate Tax in Nova Scotia is applied to the full value of the assets in a deceased person’s estate, IF the estate is handled through the Probate Court. Not all estates require Probate. If you’re not sure if Probate is required, read our blog HOW DO I KNOW IF A NOVA SCOTIA ESTATE REQUIRES PROBATE?

Read More

How to Not Get Sued When You Terminate an Employee

/ Highlander Law Group/
How to Not Get Sued When You Terminate an Employee

You have an employee who has been with you for a number of years and it is time to let them go. They haven’t done anything egregious, but they aren’t a great employee and your corporate cash flow tells you its time to reduce staffing costs.

Read More

Do I Need to Probate my Estate?

/ Highlander Law Group/
Do I Need to Probate my Estate?

Your loved one has passed away and you now have to figure out how to handle their affairs. When a person has died, all of the assets that belong to them at the time of death is called their “estate”.

In some cases, if there is a Will, the executor can simply read through the Will and distribute the contents of the estate as outlined in the Will. In some cases, even if there is no Will, a friend or family member can organize and distribute the estate to the next of kin.

Read More

What does "Perfecting a Builders Lien" in Nova Scotia Mean?

/ Highlander Law Group/
What does "Perfecting a Builders Lien" in Nova Scotia Mean?

In Nova Scotia, a builder’s lien that is registered against a property only stays valid for 105 days past the last day of work done on the property unless the lien is “perfected”. “Perfection” in the context of a builder’s lien means that the person who holds the lien formalizes their claim by starting a lawsuit in the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia. If no lawsuit is started within the required time, the lien becomes completely invalid.

Read More

What do I have to do to before I draft my Will and Estate Planning Documents in Nova Scotia?

/ Highlander Law Group/
What do I have to do to before I draft my Will and Estate Planning Documents in Nova Scotia?

A common question we get when people contact us about starting the process of drafting their Will or estate planning is “What do I have to do before I come in?”  The short answer is nothing.  At our firm, when we help people with their estate planning we don’t require any sort of forms to be filled out in advance, nor do you have to compile a laundry list of bank account numbers or balances

Read More

The 411 on legal Cannabis use in Halifax, NS

/ Highlander Law Group/
The 411 on legal Cannabis use in Halifax, NS

As of October 17, 2018, the use of cannabis will be legal all across Canada. The rules for having and using cannabis are different in each province. Here are a few notable points for Nova Scotia, particularly when it comes to using it where you live…

Read More

Use a legal Separation Agreement to Re-finance Your Matrimonial Home in Nova Scotia for More

/ Highlander Law Group/
Use a legal Separation Agreement to Re-finance Your Matrimonial Home in Nova Scotia for More

For most families, the matrimonial home is the most significant asset they own. Deciding how to deal with it after the breakdown of the relationship is an important decision with long term consequences. Did you know, when refinancing as part of a separation, the spouse keeping the home may qualify to refinance at a higher percentage of the value of the home than the standard maximum. The standard maximum is 80%, but the maximum for a spousal buyout can be as high as 95%.

Read More

Why Should My Nova Scotia Contracts Be in Writing?

/ Highlander Law Group/
Why Should My Nova Scotia Contracts Be in Writing?

Verbal contracts are technically enforceable. You can go to court and obtain a judgement against someone who doesn’t respect a verbal agreement. So why bother getting it in writing? Here are a couple of basic reasons why everyone should use a written agreement instead of relying on a verbal agreement:

Read More

What happens when your real estate deal in Nova Scotia falls through?

/ Highlander Law Group/
What happens when your real estate deal in Nova Scotia falls through?

Failing to close on a purchase or sale obviously isn’t anyone’s Plan A, but it does happen. What does Plan B look like?

Some of the reasons that a deal might fall through on closing day include, financing issues, a buyer purchasing a home on the condition that their previous home sold, major issue arises on inspection or pre-close walk through that cannot be resolved.

Read More

How to Save Money during a Divorce

/ Highlander Law Group/
How to Save Money during a Divorce

Divorces and separations can be very expensive. During a separation, families may face new expenses for custody and access visits, outfitting a new apartment with furniture. Now add to that legal fees and court costs and it can be a very challenging time financially. Thankfully, there are some things you can do to reduce you expenses.

Read More

Remembrance Day: Remembering the Rights We Enjoy as Canadians.

/ Highlander Law Group/
Remembrance Day: Remembering the Rights We Enjoy as Canadians.

Remembrance Day is almost upon us. The “We Remember” ads are on the radio and tv. It occurred to me that in a small way, my work as a lawyer continues to carry on the work of our veterans by standing up for and enforcing Canadian’s rights that they sacrificed so much to protect.

Read More