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th ei fp .c a Th e IF P -H al to n H ill s | T hu rs da y, M ay 20 ,2 02 1 | 16 LITIGATIONlegal matters I am the estate trustee for my mother' estate. My mother had assets that she dealt with outside of her estate, including a cottage that she transferred to my brother and me, a few years ago. My sister is pressuring me to include the cottage as an asset of the estate, but I don't believe that it is. Q A ASK THE PROFESSIONAL J. David Keith Partner Commercial and Civil Litigation, Employment Law, Estate Litigation. OFFICE LOCATIONS GEORGETOWN 8 Guelph Street 905 452 7400 BRAMPTON OFFICE (Main) 350 Rutherford Road S., Suite 320 905 452 7400 CALEDON EAST 15955 Airport Road, Suite 201 905 584 4545 If your mother transferred the cottage entirely, prior to any incapacity or some other person acting on a power of attorney, your sister will have a difficult time convincing a court that the cottage is properly an asset of the estate. She would have to prove that someone unduly influenced your mother in her decision. If your mother put you and your brother on title to the cottage jointly with her, then there is a question as to whether it was a gift, or are you holding the interest in trust for your mother? An estate trustee has an obligation to fully account for the estate, and act in a transparent manner. However, they are not required to account for assets that fall outside of the estate. One way in which you as the estate trustee may resolve the issue is to go through a process known as passing estate accounts. This passing of accounts amounts to the court's approval of the administration of the estate. If you are dealing with an estate issue, give us a call to set up a free ½ hour consultation. Stay safe and enjoy the weekend. The advice offered in this column is intended for informational purposes only. Use of this column is not intended to replace or substitute any professional, financial, medical, legal, or other professional advice. Empowering Clients. Enriching the Community. Interlocking & Concrete Specialists Call Mario 905.842.7171 sunmarlandscape.com ™ La n d s c a p in g 3133 Burnhamthorpe Rd W, Milton, On L9E 0J7 • Pebble Concrete • Stamped Concrete • Interlocking • Flagstone • Walkways • Garage Floors • Patios • Driveways • Curbs (French) Interlocking & Concrete Specialists Communities we serve: Located in Halton region, we work in and around • Milton • Campbellville • Burlington • Aldershot • Hamilton • Oakville • Mississauga • Waterdown • Carlisle There's a new shop in downtown Acton with tasty offerings that are drawing attention from across the GTA and be- yond. 70 Below Treats opened its doors on Mill Street East late last month, taking chef Courtney Stan- ley's freeze-dried fruits, desserts and candies from her home-based commer- cial kitchen into the public eye. From strawberries to the now Internet-famous "Space Ranchers" -- freeze-dried Jolly Ranch- ers that start crisp before melting in your mouth -- this small business is satis- fying a variety of appetites, including those of candy- crazed TikTok enthusiasts who can't resist filming their finds. "We ended up going vi- ral on social media and woke up to the whole web- site sold out," said the local mother of two. "We have people coming here from all over the place, like Ajax, Newmar- ket and Brantford." The overnight success has Stanley working around the clock to keep up with demand. While she moved into her new space with four freeze dryers, she's already had to ex- pand her operation to sev- en machines and counting. "The plan is to keep growing and eventually be in some stores, rather than just shipping across Cana- da," she said. So what is 70 Below offering that makes it worth the drive to Acton? "People are coming for the candy. Skittles are the top seller, without a doubt," said Stanley, add- ing that her latest offerings of Space Ranchers and Space Worms -- freeze- dried sour gummy worms that she describes as "sug- ar Cheetos" -- have quickly become very popular as well. Then there's her des- serts that are made from scratch, like ice cream sandwiches and vanilla cheesecake, with a vegan/ dairy-free dessert option such as sorbet in the works as well. "A lot of people don't know that we make all of these (desserts) in house," she said, explaining this gives her the ability to modify recipes and reduce the amount of sugar that would traditionally go into dessert items, since freeze- drying intensifies flavours. "That's the big thing that sets us apart from other freeze-dried companies." And one can't forget about the classic freeze- dried fruits, with strawber- ries and peaches being among Stanley's best- sellers. For further details, visit 70below.ca. BUSINESS FREEZE-DRIED PHENOMENON LOCAL SWEET TREATS BECOME OVERNIGHT INTERNET SENSATION MELANIE HENNESSEY mhennessey@ metroland.com Courtney Stanley, chef/owner of 70 Below Treats, pulls a tray of freeze-dried strawberries out of a blast freezer. Graham Paine/Metroland 70 BELOW TREATS ADDRESS: 9B Mill St. E., Acton TELEPHONE: 905-703-7132 EMAIL: info@70below.ca HOURS: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday to Saturday They're standouts in the classroom -- and beyond. The 2021 student excel- lence award winners for each of the 161 schools across the region have been announced for both the Halton District School Board and Halton District Catholic District School Board. These youth have been recognized for their academic prowess, leader- ship, athletic achievements and community spirit. Recipients of the HCDSB student excellence awards, as well as their two spirit of inclusion award winners can be viewed by visiting HCDSB.org and searching under Our Board and HCDSB News. Visit HDSB.ca and search under Students to see the public school board winners. NEWS STUDENT EXCELLENCE AWARD RECIPIENTS ANNOUNCED