However, the flip side of specialization is that it may not always best serve the client who presents a hybrid problem spanning two or more areas of law .  In such circumstances, counsel need to candidly assess to what extent their area of specialization may limit their ability to serve their client.  On the other hand, because certain areas of law tend to overlap with considerable frequency, the client who seeks specialized advice is well-served when such counsel recognize this fact and adapt accordingly. 

Certainly, the practice of estate litigation can often overlap with family law litigation.  Take , for example, a beneficiary designation dispute.  While at first glance an estates issue, the existence of a separation agreement and its impact on the dispute inevitably gives rise to legal issues where family law counsel will have considered the issue from their own perspective.  So, too is the decision facing a surviving spouse as to whether to elect under the Family Law Act on the death of his or her spouse. Again, responsible counsel have an obligation to best serve the client.

Continuing Legal Education plays a role as well.  For instance, the Ontario Bar Association has in the past run a program entitled "Kissing Cousins."  A joint venture of the Family Law and Estates and Trusts Sections of the OBA, the mandate of this program has been to highlight practice issues in which estates and family law issues overlap.

David M. Smith

Until that day, the fighting parents who appeared before Mr. Justice Quinn have been barred from court unless they obtain special leave.  Looking at the context, it's hard to argue they did not earn it: 25 court orders from 12 different judges over 7 years, three contempt motions, one suspended sentence, 12 different lawyers, 2000 pages of court filings. 

An apparent lack of respect for the rulings of the Court by both litigants was a factor in this extraordinary Order.   As Mr. Justice Quinn is quoted, "[b]oth sides have shown an inability to abide by court orders such that their access to this court should be restricted by the requirement to obtain leave." 

Mr. Justice Quinn is further quoted as saying "[t]he parties have gorged on court resources as if the legal system were their private banquet table. It must not happen again,".  It is easy to forget that courts are very expensive operations: rent, upkeep and salaries.  An hour before a judge in court is not cheap for society, whether or not the litigants are represented by lawyers.  As a purely editorial comment, it is heartening to see principled recognition of this fact.

The father, perhaps unsurprisingly given the reported facts, is apparently considering an appeal.

Enjoy the weekend,

Chris Graham

This reality gives rise to all kinds of potential legal dilemmas and truly represents the flashpoint between capacity litigation and family law litigation. If a person incapable of managing their property enters into a marriage, there is a near-certain likelihood that friction will develop between the new spouse and the incapable person’s substitute decision maker.

In large part, the making of financial decisions together is one of the defining characteristics of a marriage. In the situation of a marriage between a capable person and an incapable person with a guardian of property, the substitute decision maker inevitably has a role to play. And what if the new spouse brings a child into the marriage?

Clearly, the family law regime imposes support obligations upon spouses in the event of separation. But how is this obligation reconciled with the obligation of the substitute decision maker to act in the financial best interests of the incapable person?

From the perspective of the legal practitioner, expertise in both family and capacity law is required to seek a creative resolution of any disputes that can develop

Have a great day,

David