When the stop-loss rules were enacted, they contained grandfathering provisions that provided relief on dispositions of shares pursuant to “grandfathered agreements” or related to “grandfathered insurance policies.”
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Grandfathered insurance policies Continue Reading »
Business Succession Planning, Canada Revenue Agency, Estate Planning, Executors, Insurance, Liability, Small Business, Spouse, Succession Planning, Tax IssuesIn previous blogs I’ve talked about why you should have a Will. Now it’s time to discuss what limitations are imposed on you when leaving your estate. In general, you are free to leave your assets to whomever you want. This is called “freedom of testamentary disposition”. However, for certain policy reasons, the law does impose some restraints on you. To avoid costly disputes after you are gone, it’s important that these legal limitations be addressed…..
Are you free to do what you want when you die? Continue Reading »
Estate Administration, Estate PlanningWho do you want making decisions for you when you are no longer able? Friends may know things about you that you aren’t comfortable or able to share with family; they often live in the same city; have shared a number of life experiences and they can often be closer than blood relatives. So what’s the deal?….
You Can’t Choose Your Family BUT You Can Choose Your Friends (and your POA) Continue Reading »
Elder Care, Estate Planning, Family Conflict, Geriatric Care ManagementTumbling stock markets always stir up anxieties. This is certainly true for charities that depend on donations, as well as for the donors who give to them. One type of donation that is remarkably unaffected by market roil is the bequest.
Canada is seeing a steady, long-term increase in charitable bequests because of a combination of societal factors. These factors include the aging of society, greater concentration of wealth, smaller and non-traditional families, increased profile of philanthropy, and generous tax incentives for gifts of assets. Over the last 20 years, an environment has been created where more Canadians are feeling comfortable with devoting a significant portion of their net worth to charity. ….
Charitable bequests and stock market turmoil Continue Reading »
Estate Administration, Estate Planning, Philanthropy/Charitable GivingThe testator disinherited her only son who was 51 years old and suffered from Hepatitis C. The son sought an order that adequate provision be made for his proper maintenance and support from his mother’s estate. A good discussion of the principles of dependant support.
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Man vs. Beast Continue Reading »
Contested wills, Estate Litigation, Philanthropy/Charitable Giving, Wills