A recent illness of a family member reminded me of the importance of having the right people in place in a time of crisis, especially in an agricultural context. As a lawyer it has been my unfortunate experience to observe the results of a lack of planning.

The March 2018 edition of Better Farming contained an article with contributions from Brimage lawyers Robert Fuller and Cyrus Muller. It is about farmers covering all their bases before hiring.

The administration of the estate of a deceased farmer can raise some unique issues which require special attention and consideration. Unlike the passing of someone with passive assets, a farmer’s death often comes with a host of immediate problems, especially if the death occurs during a busy season or to a livestock operation.

Robert Fuller weighs in on the steep penalties unprepared farmer executors could face when dealing with the new Estate Administration Tax.

Ontario Grain Farmer Magazine interviews Brimage lawyer Robert Fuller for great advice on agriculture business succession and what pitfalls to avoid.

As farming gets more complex, what if you fear your children aren’t suited to be successors to your farm?

When a person is hired to do a job, they can be hired as either an employee or an independent contractor. The difference is an important one for both the person hiring (the “Hiror”) and the person being hired (the “Hiree”).

When a business is being established, one of the first things that is usually addressed is the name of the business. While the task might seem simple, quite often is not.

I have at times had people in my office who have “spoken to someone at Revenue Canada” (or another government agency for that matter) and received advice that they are determined to follow. Sometimes they even obtain the name of the government person they spoke to. The person feels that he or she is “protected”. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth.

Although it is something people don’t wish to think about, there are times when bankruptcy is the only financial option available. The following are some commonly asked questions about personal bankruptcy. If this is an option you must contemplate, get the advice of experts. The answers below are only general guidelines.