Civil Litigation
Fearless, experienced litigators who fight for "the little guy".
Sometimes we find ourselves in disputes which end up in court, either when someone else has caused us loss, or has decided to take a conflict to the next level. Strong, yet measured steps are needed. Some cases do end up before a judge, but most never make it to trial: they may settle or just go away. Stephens Mah Toogood can provide the help you need in navigating the complex world of civil lawsuits and ultimately securing a positive result.
Real Estate
Buying and selling a home for most clients is the most significant transaction that they will experience in their lives. We are ready to help you understand and complete this transaction. We have experience in purchases and sales of houses (new construction or existing), condominiums, townhouses, acreages, and lots.
Whether you have a mortgage for your purchase or various payouts to make for a sale, we will be prepared to guide you through to completion with all the necessary steps to get you the keys to your new home or to provide you with the proceeds from a sale.
We also include in our services other aspects of real estate such as contract review, mortgage refinances, construction draw mortgages, bridge and interim financing, estate sales, real property report orders and submissions for compliance, first time home buyer incentive mortgages, review of title documents, and attempts to resolve post closing issues.
Our office may be able to assist you with real estate litigation as well. We have limited our practice in this area and ask that you speak to one of us about your unique circumstances.
Wills and Estates
Estate Planning involves working with you to understand your wishes and plans for your affairs in the event of death or disability. We will help you prepare your Will, Enduring power of Attorney, and Personal Directive. We include in our service extensive discussions and education to arrive at a complete understanding and appreciation of your situation and needs.
Estate Administration involves providing advice and comprehensive services to those responsible for carrying out the wishes of a deceased friend or family member. Helping an executor understand their tasks and responsibilities is the first step. This includes understanding the probate process and when it is needed. There are many topics that an executor needs help with: interpreting a Will (or dealing with the absence of one); working with family dynamics and expectations, managing assets and liabilities, and maintaining accounting, communication and understanding during a long (and sometimes tedious) process.
Charity and Not-for-profit
Charities and not-for-profit organizations are significant and distinct sectors of Canada's social and economic life. They are essential contributors to improving Canada and the world. The charitable and nonprofit sectors contribute an average of over 8% to the Canadian GDP. This surpasses the retail trade industry and nearly equals the value of the mining, oil, and gas
extraction sectors.
Most Canadians have been involved in a charity or nonprofit throughout their lives. Many engage with them every day.
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Canada has over 170,000 charities and nonprofit organizations.
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The Canada Revenue Agency recognizes over 85,000 registered charities.
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The charitable and nonprofit sectors employ two million Canadians.
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Over 13 million people volunteer for charities and nonprofit organizations.
These facts and more helpful information can be found at Imagine Canada.
Charities and not-for-profits have significant corporate, commercial, and tax needs. There are major differences between them and for-profit organizations. All registered charities are nonprofits, but not all non-profits are charities due to their differences. If a group wants to become registered as a charity, they need to apply to the Canada Revenue Agency. CRA
reviews their purposes and determines if they meet the legal requirements. Charitable registration is granted to those that operate exclusively for charitable purposes by the Charities Directorate of CRA. Then, it regulates them.
Corporate/
Commercial
We are the registered office for numerous business and not-for-profit organizations.
Our longstanding clients come to us when they have business transactions to negotiate and close: buying and selling of businesses and various assets, refinancing and re-collateralizing assets and operations, roll-overs and reorganizations, reviewing and negotiating commercial leases.
Legal Services
Our team has the experience and resources to find practical and cost-effective solutions to any challenge that comes your way. We understand that legal issues can be daunting, but rest assured that with SMT Legal, you have a trusted guide to help you navigate through it all. So when you need legal guidance, reach out to us and let us assist you.