The Rule of Convenience in Estates: Interest on Pecuniary Legacies, Case Law and Drafting Options

“The Rule of Convenience” examines how and when pecuniary legacies begin to attract interest in Ontario estates, and what rate applies where a will is silent. Using Rivard v Morris and subsequent decisions such as Campbell Estate v Campbell and Veiga v Veiga, Conor Culverhouse traces the development of the modern approach to the rule of convenience and identifies the key factors courts consider in awarding interest. The program then turns to practical drafting, reviewing sample clauses that modify or oust the default rule, and weighing the advantages and disadvantages of doing so. Viewers gain a clear understanding of how the rule operates in practice, how interest exposure can affect both estate administration and litigation, and how careful will drafting can reduce uncertainty and disputes.