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

Duties to Vulnerable Individuals: Lessons from Lewicki v. Bascus

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The recent decision in Lewicki v. Bascus et al., 2025 ONSC 6224 reiterates the duties lawyers and attorneys for property or personal care have to vulnerable persons. Attorneys have a duty to refrain from influencing vulnerable persons with their personal opinions to further their own self-interest. Lawyers have a duty to enforce safeguards when dealing with vulnerable clients to ensure their decisions are independent and rooted in logic. Lionel Bascus….

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Uncategorized

The Stages of an Estate Administration – Part 1

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Today’s blog was written by Courtney Lanthier, Law Clerk at Fasken. Having worked in this field for over 10 years now, I’ve definitely done my fair share of estate planning, but not nearly enough estate administration. Now, after a long hiatus, I’m stepping back in and starting to notice that things have definitely changed. The process and steps involved in an administration can be overwhelming for those of us working….

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Estate Administration, Estate Administration and Probate Applications, Executors, Practice Management
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