Am I able to add my adult children to the Deed to my Property in Nova Scotia?

/ Highlander Law Group/
Am I able to add my adult children to the Deed to my Property in Nova Scotia?

You can add additional owners to your property whenever you want. The new owner does not have to pay money and they can be family members. You can make the new person an equal share owner or you can give them a certain percentage. Most commonly, parents add their children as Joint Tenants. This makes the child an equal owner with any other Joint Tenants. The benefit to the Joint Tenant route in Nova Scotia is that when one person dies, the surviving owners automatically become full owners without requiring the estate to pass through Probate Court (saving time, stress and significant money).

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How to create a legally binding co-habitation agreement in Nova Scotia

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How to create a legally binding co-habitation agreement in Nova Scotia

What is a co-habitation agreement?

A co-habitation agreement is a legally binding contract between unmarried couples who live together. In Nova Scotia, a co-habitation agreement establishes legal rights and responsibilities towards each other, similar to how marriage provides certain legal protections for couples who tie the knot.

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Cohabitation agreements for non-romantic relationships in Nova Scotia

/ Highlander Law Group/
Cohabitation agreements for non-romantic relationships in Nova Scotia

Sharing works best when everyone is on the same page …… or preferably a few pages. Cohabitation agreements are not just for couples.

 With the changing real estate market and housing shortage it is becoming more and more common for people who are not in romantic relationships, and various family members to be sharing ownership of homes.

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Condominiums: What is a reserve fund, and why should you care when buying a Condo in Nova Scotia?

/ Highlander Law Group/
Condominiums: What is a reserve fund, and why should you care when buying a Condo in Nova Scotia?

When you buy a condominium one of the things that you (or usually your representatives) look into is whether or not the condo corporation has a healthy reserve fund.

When you buy a condo unit, the vendor has to order what is referred to as an "estoppel certificate". This will outline the status of the fees for your specific unit, but it will also give you details about the reserve fund of the corporation.

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Why Estate Planning is Particularly Important for people in Common Law Relationships in Nova Scotia

/ Highlander Law Group/
Why Estate Planning is Particularly Important for people in Common Law Relationships in Nova Scotia

While people know that being in a common law relationship is not the same as being married, which automatically creates “matrimonial” rights and obligations for your spouse in the event that you pass away or require medial attention.

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Provincial Deed Transfer Tax

/ Highlander Law Group/
Provincial Deed Transfer Tax

As you may have heard, there is now an additional Provincial Deed Transfer Tax payable by home buyers who are not residents of Nova Scotia.


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Let us be the wet blanket – it is part of our job! - Your Nova Scotia real estate lawyer as an advocate for you.

/ Highlander Law Group/
Let us be the wet blanket – it is part of our job! - Your Nova Scotia real estate lawyer as an advocate for you.

Lawyers have a multi-faceted reputation – not all of it flattering, but being the “stick in the mud” when it comes to fulfilling your contract when you buy or sell a home is something I will happily claim.

It is my job as your lawyer to be on the lookout for ways to protect you throughout the buying and selling process. We review your contracts, your mortgage documents, the title for your property, and any receipts and repairs required by the contract.

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Property Taxes vs Deed Transfer Tax – What you need to know about taxes when buying a home in Nova Scotia

/ Highlander Law Group/
Property Taxes vs Deed Transfer Tax – What you need to know about taxes when buying a home in Nova Scotia

When buying a used (read: previously lived in) home there are two types of tax you will see come up on your statements from your lawyer.

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Nova Scotia home for sale over the holidays? Decorating tips to not detract from the sale.

/ Highlander Law Group/
Nova Scotia home for sale over the holidays? Decorating tips to not detract from the sale.

If you are buying a home for the first time you may qualify for First Time Home Buyers' rebate.

A "first time buyer" is an individual who builds or purchases a newly built home and has not owned or occupied a home in Canada in the last five years.

The eligibility criteria for this rebate:

  • · The house is newly built. Substantial renovations such as a major addition or converting a building into a home do not qualify.

  • · The house is located in Nova Scotia and will be used for your (or your relation's) primary residence.

  • · Can only be claimed by individuals - not businesses.

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Don't Fall into the Trap of a Bad Closing Day

/ Highlander Law Group/
Don't Fall into the Trap of a Bad Closing Day

Moving can be exciting, but can also be a stressful time. What day your closing date falls on can contribute to how smoothly the transaction goes. There are a lot of moving parts on closing day, and it’s better to be safe than sorry if something pops up that causes a delay. Potential issues could be, a delay in funds from your bank, a contentious issue on the walk-through etc.

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Buying a condo in Nova Scotia? Understand exactly what you're buying

/ Highlander Law Group/
Buying a condo in Nova Scotia? Understand exactly what you're buying

The practical distinctions between buying a condominium and buying property can sometimes be confusing. Here are a few points to illustrate what you are buying when you buy a condo. The exact definition of what you own and what you are responsible for, i.e. what is your unit, should be outlined in your Condominium Corporation's Declaration.

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Condominiums: What is a reserve fund, and why should you care when buying a Condo in Nova Scotia?

/ Highlander Law Group/
Condominiums: What is a reserve fund, and why should you care when buying a Condo in Nova Scotia?

When you buy a condominium one of the things that you (or usually your representatives) look into is whether or not the condo corporation has a healthy reserve fund.

When you buy a condo unit, the vendor has to order what is referred to as an "estoppel certificate". This will outline the status of the fees for your specific unit, but it will also give you details about the reserve fund of the corporation.

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Selling & Showing Your Nova Scotian Home With Pets

/ Highlander Law Group/
Selling & Showing Your Nova Scotian Home With Pets

Keeping you home in tip top shape in order to show it can be a task. Particularly when you have pets in your home, but it can make a bad impression if you don't. Here are some things you should think about when your selling with pets:

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Buying a Condo in Nova Scotia? Here's why you need an estoppel certificate.

/ Highlander Law Group/
Buying a Condo in Nova Scotia? Here's why you need an estoppel certificate.

When you are buying a home in Nova Scotia there are a lot of moving parts to the process. When you are buying a condominium, often you can count on adding a few more. One of the requirements specific to purchasing a condo unit is getting your hands on the estoppel certificate. It’s important to understand why you need one.

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First Time Homebuyers' Rebate - Nova Scotia

/ Highlander Law Group/
First Time Homebuyers' Rebate - Nova Scotia

If you are buying a home for the first time you may qualify for First Time Home Buyers' rebate.

A "first time buyer" is an individual who builds or purchases a newly built home and has not owned or occupied a home in Canada in the last five years.

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A Fresh Start Any Time - Now to Organize!

/ Highlander Law Group/
A Fresh Start Any Time - Now to Organize!

A new year is a fresh start in many ways. It is a great time to re-set. Organizing your home can be a great way to do this. Read on to learn a few ways to take advantage of the timing and get organized.

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why you should understand & embrace hygge

/ Highlander Law Group/
why you should understand & embrace hygge

Hygge is a word that has been popping up a lot in discussions of home decorating, particularly for the fall and winter. Consider how embracing Hygge when staging your house for sale in the winter can have a positive impact on offers.

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Your property assessment in Nova Scotia - what is it, and what is it for?

/ Highlander Law Group/
Your property assessment in Nova Scotia - what is it, and what is it for?

In Nova Scotia real property is given an assessed value each year. The question is how do assessors arrive at that value, why are properties given an assessed value and what is that figure used for?

 

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Who gets it when your gone? Dealing with your home in Nova Scotia when you pass away.

/ Highlander Law Group/
Who gets it when your gone? Dealing with your home in Nova Scotia when you pass away.

While it may seem like a morbid topic of conversation, it is an important one to have. What happens to your home when you die? In Nova Scotia, typically, when the first spouse to passes away, the home simply stays with their surviving spouse. This happens because most spouses hold their homes as "joint tenants".  This is only applicable in situations where both spouses are on title to the home, and listed as joint tenants. This designation is listed on the parcel register for your property and you can have a lawyer find this information for you if you are unsure of your current situation.

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Your To-Do list as 'Closing Day' for a purchase/sale of real estate in Nova Scotia approaches.

/ Highlander Law Group/
Your To-Do list as 'Closing Day' for a purchase/sale of real estate in Nova Scotia approaches.

If you are like many lucky Nova Scotians buying or selling a home, you are working with a great team of professionals who will help you through the process. Your mortgage broker, real estate agent and lawyer will all help make the process as smooth as possible. There are a few things that you will need to do as well.

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