A lot of my clients this time of year mention that they put off making a will or updating their will for too long. They have been finding motivation in the new year to finally make their will a priority. Is making a will or updating your current will in…

Many millennials may not yet see the urgency in estate planning, believing it’s only for older or wealthier generations. However, with millennials poised to inherit over $1 trillion from Baby Boomer parents by 2026, the largest wealth transfer in Canadian history, having a Will is not just wise—it’s essential. Here’s…

The one question that estate planning lawyers receive from clients and prospective clients most often is, “Why do I need a Will?”  While this is a complex question, there are many compelling reasons why everyone should have a Will. Estate planning is a crucial aspect of financial and personal planning…

The Canadian federal government has proposed a significant change to the capital gain inclusion rate, impacting individuals, businesses, and trusts. This proposed change, included in the Federal budget, suggests an increase in the inclusion rate from 50% to 67% for individuals earning more than $250,000 in capital gains annually, as…

As an Estate Trustee, you might find yourself in a difficult situation in which a family member of the deceased is unreasonably refusing to vacate the Estate house.  Often these occupants are sons or daughters of the deceased who have been living rent free in the Deceased’s house for 30,…

If you are an executor of an estate or are named in a will as a beneficiary, you may be wondering, “What is probate?” Probate is the legal process of being appointed by the Court as the estate trustee of a deceased person’s estate. If there is no will, the…

There are several important factors to consider when estate planning, especially if you’d like to eliminate the need for probate, minimize probate tax, and make it easier on your loved ones upon your passing. This includes creating a will, considering joint ownership, making beneficiary designations, gifting assets, and more. Here,…

When a person passes away, their estate is usually administered by an executor or estate trustee. The duties of an estate trustee are numerous and varied, but can broadly be divided into two categories: administering the estate and distributing the assets. Another main duty of the trustee is to plan…