Why Estate Planning is crucial

Two men were lifelong friends and similar in many ways. Both were affluent, mid-fifties, healthy, with several children and grandchildren. Life was good. Then tragedy struck. Returning home from a golf weekend together, their car was involved in a serious auto accident. Neither of them survived. Both families were devastated. But one was far more […]

Why should I make a will?

A Will forms an essential part of your estate plan. It is a written document, “in Quebec, preferably done by a notary” that expresses your wishes for the distribution of your assets at your death. It will also deal with any debts of your estate ensuring that they are paid including any taxes owing. A […]

Estate Planning Tips

Regardless of the size of your estate, an effective estate plan is necessary if you want to make sure that the right parties inherit your assets. If tax is an issue, your estate plan can help to limit the amounts that your beneficiaries will owe. You might find the following tips helpful, even if you […]

FAMILY TRUSTS & THE 21 YEAR RULE

Family trusts are popular estate and succession planning vehicles for a good reason: they can be versatile and effective tools to help manage family wealth and taxes. But many Canadian family trusts are now well into their second decade and need attention to avoid significant and even devastating tax bills triggered by the Income Tax […]