Category: Wills, Estates and Trusts

If you have Wills that provide for a number of testamentary trusts for spouse and children (and grandchildren), you may want to have them reviewed to see if there is any advantage to maintaining all of those separate trusts.

If a client has Canadian property and assets in a foreign jurisdiction, it is recommended that they consult with a lawyer in the jurisdiction where they hold those foreign assets.

When a Trust is established, through a Will or otherwise, it is usually recommended for the Will maker or Settlor to provide the trustees of the Trust with a Letter of Wishes with regard to the administration of the Trust and how they would like things to be handled.

Leaving a charitable donation in your Will can be a wonderful way to benefit a charity that has meant a great deal to you during your lifetime.

If you have an existing Will, that’s a great start. However, as your life changes, so will your Estate Planning needs.

Executors have many duties to the beneficiaries of an estate - they must act in good faith, to the standard of a reasonably competent person, keep an even hand between the beneficiaries, protect the assets, and make sure the taxes and debts are paid.

There are 3 “main” documents a client should consider when making an estate plan - a Will, Power of Attorney, and Representation Agreement.

The New Year is a great time to review your Will. If you have an existing Will, that’s a great start. However, as your life changes, so will your Estate Planning needs.

Should I put my Will in my safety deposit box? That is a frequently asked question by many clients of mine.

A Power of Attorney, if used carefully, is an important estate planning tool. This legal document is commonly prepared to provide for situations where a person cannot manage his or her own affairs.

There are a number of important considerations which arise where an estate planning client holds shares in a company including legal, tax and financial considerations.