Wills and Estates
Don't wait until you are going on a trip to make your Will and sign Powers of Attorney. Do it now.Business Law
Incorporating, signing a lease, hiring staff? Legal advice can help you avoid costly errors.Legal Services for Non-profits: Charities and non-profits
Establishing a charity requires careful planning. If the organization is not properly structured, it will not be possible to have the charity registered by the Canada Revenue Agency as a registered charitable organization. In order to obtain charitable registration, the organization must be established and operated exclusively for relief of poverty, advancement of religion, advancement of education or another purpose beneficial to the community that has been recognized as charitable, such as operating a hospital or animal shelter.
Different rules apply to community associations, sports clubs, professional associations, housing corporations and other organizations that do not fit the definition of a charity but are organized for non-profit purposes. These organizations are eligible for exemption from the payment of income tax but are not entitled to issue tax receipts for donations. An understanding of the legal principles that apply is necessary in order to determine which type of organization is appropriate, a charity or a non-profit organization. This determination needs to be made before you incorporate.
Non-profit organizations often operate with volunteer boards of directors. As a lawyer very experienced in advising non-profit corporations, I can help your board deal with corporate, operational and insurance requirements, resolve disputes with disgruntled members, and otherwise satisfy their legal obligations. Access to the advice of an experienced lawyer will help those running your corporation to avoid costly errors.
New legislation is under consideration by both the Canadian and Ontario governments which will change the legal framework for both charities and non-profit organizations. All of these organizations will likely be required to revise their incorporating documents and by-laws and re-file them. Having the assistance of a lawyer experienced in this area of the law will be essential. When the legislation is passed, I will be able to assist you with making the necessary changes to your corporate documents within the timeframes set by the governments.