LAW582
Wills & Administration
(Lafuente & Teja)
Prerequisite courses:
Prerequisite for:
Instructor(s): Erin Lafuente & Harkirat Teja
Course credit: 3
Method of presentation: Lecture
Teamwork: YES
METHOD OF EVALUATION
Participation 15% of Final Grade
Presentation 25% of Final Grade
Grant Application 15% of Final Grade
Personal Directive 10% of Final Grade
Power of Attorney 10% of Final Grade
Will 25% of Final Grade
PRESENTATION (25%)
The instructor will divide the class into groups of 2 or 3.
Each group will be assigned a discussion topic related to the class topic of the day.
The instructors will assign a side of the discussion topic for each student to discuss.
Students will advocate for their assigned positions.
Students will do their own research individually to find case law, or legislation to support their assigned position.
Students should consult with their group to discuss their positions and divide issues and ideas so that the presentation makes sense as a whole.
Once all the presenters have presented, the presenters collectively will provide a summary of the law on the topic. Students may choose one person to present the answer, or may divide this portion among the group as they wish.
Following the presentation, there will be a class discussion on the topic.
CLASS PARTICIPATION (15%)
Attendance.
Please note: Missed classes must be reported to alyx.leclair@dentons.com.
Responding to the instructor questions during lecture.
Thoughtful contributions during class presentation discussions.
Quality of questions asked to presenters (including if question is too difficult, or unclear).
GRANT APPLICATION DRAFTING ASSIGNMENT (15%)
The instructor will divide the class into groups of 2 or 3. Each group will draft a Grant of Administration Application based on fact pattern and precedent provided by the instructor on the dates outlined in the course schedule.
ESTATE DOCUMENT DRAFTING ASSIGNMENT (45%)
Each student will draft a Will, Enduring Power of Attorney, and Personal Directive based on fact patterns and precedents provided by the instructor on the dates outlined in the course schedule.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The objective of the course is to teach the basics of Wills and Estates. We will review the seminal cases and treat the class as an estate practice where you act as a barrister and solicitor. You will draft a Will, Enduring Power of Attorney and Personal Directive. You will also prepare an application for a Grant in an estate. In addition, you will present oral arguments in a moot setting on the important issues that arise in a wills and estates practice.
You will be assessed on your drafting skills, presentation skills/legal knowledge and class presentation.
Policy about course outlines can be found in Section 23.4(2) of the University Calendar.
SPECIAL COMMENTS
Description updated 2026-27. Please contact the instructor for any specific questions you may have related to this particular course section.
REQUIRED TEXTS (IF ANY)
none – you will do your own research for the presentation.