Can I record an easement on a piece of land in Nova Scotia that has already been migrated to the Land Registration System?

Can I record an easement on a piece of land in Nova Scotia that has already been migrated to the Land Registration System?

In Nova Scotia, once a property has been migrated to the Land Registration System, the rules under the Land Registration Act take over. 

Easements by Grant

In theory, all granted easements should have been recorded on both parcels at the time of migration, however, from time to time, things are missed. It is also the case that when the land registration system came into place it was not a requirement for the ‘flip-side’ burden to be recorded, so sometimes those are missing. If you find yourself in that circumstance, all that is required is for the Land Registration Office to be notified of the error (by way of a prescribed form submitted by a lawyer certified to make changes to the land registration system).

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What does my Nova Scotia Easement allow me to do?

What does my Nova Scotia Easement allow me to do?

A deeded easement (meaning one that is in a written agreement and tied to a specific lot of land), gives the owner of the dominant parcel of land the right to do certain specific things over or on the land of another nearby parcel. However, because an easement necessarily is burdening someone else’s land, the courts will always read the easement in as narrow a light as possible to minimize the impact on the other person’s land. 

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Can I use a Power of Attorney to sell my jointly owned property in Nova Scotia if my partner has Dementia?

Can I use a Power of Attorney to sell my jointly owned property in Nova Scotia if my partner has Dementia?

If a property is owned in joint tenancy by more than one person, then all owners must consent to the sale in writing. (If you’re not sure if the property is owned in joint tenancy vs as tenants in common review our blog on the topic to help you understand the difference) However, if an owner is no longer competent, then someone must consent on their behalf.

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What are my options if I was promised family land in Nova Scotia but the Will leaves the land to someone else?

What are my options if I was promised family land in Nova Scotia but the Will leaves the land to someone else?

The important thing to remember in a circumstance such as this one is that a person can only direct who inherits their estate assets with a Will. The critical question to determine is, did the property belong to the testator at the time of his death, or was he only holding it in trust for the person he promised it to?

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What does it mean if someone has a Deeded Right of Way Easement over my Nova Scotia property?

What does it mean if someone has a Deeded Right of Way Easement over my Nova Scotia property?

An easement is the right for the owner of one parcel of land to enjoy a specific benefit over a nearby property. If it is a ‘Deeded’ easement, it means the right was created by a documented agreement between the owners of the involved parcels of land. In Nova Scotia, deeded easements attach to the land and continue to be in force even after the parcel has changed hands

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

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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Can I appoint my child to be my executor in Nova Scotia?

Can I appoint my child to be my executor in Nova Scotia?

Many parents imagine their adult children handling their estate after they pass. However, often times Wills are drafted before the children are adults. The question becomes: Can I appoint my child as my executor in Nova Scotia even if they are still a minor?

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Understanding Deed Transfer Tax When Purchasing Property in Nova Scotia

Understanding Deed Transfer Tax When Purchasing Property in Nova Scotia

If you considering buying a property in Nova Scotia it's crucial to understand the various costs involved, including the deed transfer tax. In Nova Scotia, this tax plays a significant role in the total cost of a real estate transaction .

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How to Remove an Executor Appointed in Nova Scotia Who isn't Doing Their Job

How to Remove an Executor Appointed in Nova Scotia Who isn't Doing Their Job

Being appointed as an executor of an estate is a position of trust and responsibility. Unfortunately, there may be instances where an executor fails to fulfill their duties adequately, causing distress and complications for the beneficiaries of the estate. In such cases, it may be necessary to remove the appointed executor using the Nova Scotia Probate Court.
Probate Court provides a legal avenue for addressing issues related to the administration of an estate. If you’re in Nova Scotia and find yourself in a situation where the executor is not carrying out their duties appropriately. This blog outlines the steps you can take to have them removed.

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

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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When will we “be closed” When We buy a House in Nova Scotia? - the short answer, no one can say.

When will we “be closed” When We buy a House in Nova Scotia? - the short answer, no one can say.

Many of our buyers and sellers come into our meetings excitedly asking - “So, what time will we be closed?”. In short, there is no way to say exactly. Obviously the closing date is the day - but the timing is based on a lot of moving parts. It can happen any time until end of business ( usually 5 pm) that day and is still considered closed on time.

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Why it’s Worth it to Pay for a Professionally Drafted Will in Nova Scotia

Why it’s Worth it to Pay for a Professionally Drafted Will in Nova Scotia

Are you prepared to ensure things go smoothly for your loved ones when you die? At Highlander Law Group, we believe that everyone should have their wishes preserved, ensuring that their assets and family are protected when they are no longer able to do so themselves. This is why we strongly advocate for the importance of having a professionally drafted Will.

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Why you should personally do your closing day inspection when purchasing a home in Nova Scotia.

Why you should personally do your closing day inspection when purchasing a home in Nova Scotia.

After you buy a property (the money is exchanged and you take title), the transaction is considered “Closed”. This means you no longer have an opportunity to go back and negotiate with respect to issues you uncover with your new home. If you trust someone else (like your Realtor) to do the closing day walkthrough and they miss something important, your only recourse is to sue that person, not the people you bought the house from

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What are my Options if I Discover Water Leaks in a House I just purchased in Nova Scotia?

What are my Options if I Discover Water Leaks in a House I just purchased in Nova Scotia?

Real Estate law in Nova Scotia is grounded in the very old legal concept, ‘caveat emptor’, which is ‘Buyer Beware’. The idea being, no one is forcing you to buy the property, so before you sign on the (digital) line, the onus is on you to ensure you really want what they are selling. That’s why you have the option to ask for permission to do a thorough home inspection and have a Property Disclosure Statement produced.

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Why should I care about the Difference between Patent and Latent defects when I’m buying a property in Nova Scotia?

Why should I care about the Difference between Patent and Latent defects when I’m buying a property in Nova Scotia?

Real Estate law in Nova Scotia is grounded in the very old legal concept, ‘caveat emptor’, which is ‘Buyer Beware’. The idea being, no one is forcing you to buy the property, so before you sign on the (digital) line, the onus is on you to ensure you really want what they are selling. From that logic, comes the rule that the current property owner only has to disclose latent defects to a potential purchaser.

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How Do I Protect Myself from ‘Invisible Issues’ when Buying a Property in Nova Scotia?

How Do I Protect Myself from ‘Invisible Issues’ when Buying a Property in Nova Scotia?

Real Estate law in Nova Scotia is grounded in the very old legal concept, ‘caveat emptor’, which is ‘Buyer Beware’. The idea being, no one is forcing you to buy the property, so before you sign on the (digital) line, the onus is on you to ensure you really want what they are selling.

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