Keeping You Up To Date

Inefficient estate planning can cause family feuds leading to costly and time consuming litigation. Various strategies may help to reduce the likelihood of an estate battle after you die. What is Fair? Disputes often result when parents try to be fair in transferring assets to their children. Equally splitting the family business 50/50 among one’s

In today’s society, many options exist for families making plans for deceased loved ones. These plans take many factors into account: budget, religious affiliations, environmental concerns, and all with an eye to reflecting the wishes of the deceased. Traditional Options Most people are familiar with traditional funeral services, although even these options can be customized

The role of the executor is complex and can include the following responsibilities for example: Valuing and disposing of real estate and business assets Settling accounts and ensuring creditor obligations are met Settling tax obligations and filings Managing property and personal assets Handling investments Locating and identifying beneficiaries Providing detailed financial accounting to the beneficiaries

An estate freeze refers to an estate planning method used to minimize taxes. When an estate freeze occurs, the value (and tax liability) of the estate assets are “frozen” at a specific point in time, and all future growth is typically taxed in the hands of other family members, usually your spouse and next of

What is a Will? A Will is a legally binding declaration of a person’s wishes regarding the disposition of his or her estate after death. Typically, a Will includes clauses such as: identification of the person making the Will; revocation of all previous Wills; appointment of executors and guardians; payment of debts and taxes; specific

What is a Compliance Certificate?  Compliance certificates under s.116 of the Income Tax Act are now required to ensure that non-resident Canadian beneficiaries do not owe Canada any taxes. According to s.248(1)(i) of the Income Tax Act ““taxable Canadian property” of a taxpayer at any time in a taxation year [includes] a property of the