Imagine waking up to a serene lakeside view, the whispers of the wind through lush greenery, and the promise of a tranquil retreat away from the hustle and bustle of daily life. However, the allure can sometimes be deceptive. This post will describe two ways to consider a cottage ownership: financial and emotional. On one hand, prospective cottagers will need...
Estate planning can be a complex process, especially when a loved one is facing incapacity. One of the most challenging issues in estate planning is determining whether an individual has the mental capacity to make decisions about their own assets and care. In some cases, family members may seek court-ordered capacity assessments to determine whether their loved one can manage...
Family foundations can play an important role in philanthropy and social impact, but their long-term success depends on effective leadership and governance. Without a succession plan in place, your family foundation may face a range of challenges that can undermine its effectiveness and sustainability. In this blog post, we'll explore the top 10 problems your family foundation will have without...
Administering someone’s estate after they die can be a difficult and heavy responsibility. Before you begin that journey, consider the professionals who can help you fulfill your responsibilities such as lawyers, trust companies, accountants, and bankers. Also consider the legal obligations estate trustees must adhere to. If you’ve been charged with administering an estate or if you’re considering this role,...
This post will describe what a wasting freeze is and consider other issues such as adding leverage and making charitable gifts.
An estate freeze caps the current capital gains tax liability of an asset expected to appreciate and transfers the growth in value to successors. Families use estate freezes to pass down assets to future generations such as kids and grandkids. Businesses also use estate freezes to transition ownership to family members and/or employees.
Everyone should have an up to date will & estate plan. If your estate is simple, its easy to write a basic holograph will or consult with a neighbourhood lawyer. But when you’re wealthy its important to ensure your estate plan considers a complex set of tax rules and supports generational wealth transfer. This post will describe basic best...
This post will describe some key governance and documentation strategies to consider when planning for the succession of your Canadian private charitable foundation.
Private foundation governance is an important topic for families with multi-generational wealth. This post describes what a private foundation is and how responsibility can be transitioned to next generation family members.
