Holiday Reflections: The Importance of Estate and Incapacity Planning

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This blog post was written by Mohena Singh, Associate at Fasken LLP. The holiday season often brings cherished time full of gift exchanges, gatherings with family, and a break from work. Amid the festivities, it’s also an opportune moment to discuss estate and incapacity planning – a topic that, while rarely broached at the dinner table, is vital for protecting your family’s future. The cautionary tale of Vaccaro v. Vaccaro….

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Estate Administration, Estate Litigation, Estate Planning, Wills

Family Money Messages

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My friend Aneil Gokhale, Director of Philanthropy at the Toronto Foundation, has a talent for facilitating discussions about money.  What messages do we inherit and how do they inform our inclination for, and approach to, giving?  These messages are the software that influence future behaviour, including openness to giving to charity, during life and at death. Ingrained messages In every session that Aneil leads, he coaxes out deeply ingrained messages….

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Philanthropy/Charitable Giving, Uncategorized

How Advisors Can Support Clients Through Current or Future Caregiving

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A middle aged woman talks on the phone to her advisor. She is perturbed.

Year-end planning season brings portfolio reviews, tax strategies, and client meetings focused on financial performance. It also brings something less visible: clients quietly managing the stress of aging parents or ill family members alongside their professional and personal responsibilities. No one expects advisors to become a family therapist or care coordinator. You are, however, positioned to recognize when caregiving stress is affecting decision-making and to offer a clear, professional referral….

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Elder Management, Smart Ageing

Growing Families, Closed Classes: A Primer on Understanding Timing in Estate Gifts

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Today’s post by Brianna Fable-Watson, Articling Student Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP Estate planning documents often use broad phrases such as “to X’s children” “to grandchildren”, or “issue” when making gifts. While convenient, these terms can unintentionally create uncertainty especially when family circumstances change between the signing of the will and the testator’s death. A Common Scenario Rob, a thoughtful and organized individual, drafts his will. In it, he leaves shares….

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Estate Administration

Surrogacy Across Borders: What Canadian Families Need to Know

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Today’s blog was co-authored by Pahul Sond, Student-at-Law, at Fasken LLP Surrogacy is a life-changing journey—but when it crosses international borders, the process becomes more complex. This post highlights a recent CTV news story, applicable laws in Canada, and a Q&A I conducted with a friend who recently went through the journey. Canadian Surrogate Turned Away at the Border A recent CTV News story titled “U.S. border officers turn back….

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In the News, IRS, United States

Most Common Mistakes Individuals Make in Quebec Estate Planning

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Scotiatrust

This blog post was written by: Mina Mattia, Estate and Trust Consultant, Scotiatrust Montreal Estate planning in Quebec is often misunderstood, overlooked or postponed. Quebec’s civil law system also differs from the rest of Canada, which means that rules about wills and succession can surprise people. Here are some common mistakes individuals make when planning their estate plan in Quebec and how to avoid them.   Not preparing a Will….

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Estate Planning, Wills
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