Estate Planning

Total 1065 Posts

Clarifying U.S. Estate Tax for Canadians

It comes as a surprise to many Canadians to learn their estate may be subject to U.S. estate tax. Indeed, the U.S. estate tax regime is broad and complex and misunderstood by many Canadians. This article will provide a summary overview of its application to Canadian and how to minimize its implications. U.S. Estate Tax Regime in General All U.S. persons (U.S. citizen, U.S. resident or green card holder) are….

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Canadian and US Tax Treaty, Estate Planning, International, IRS, Tax Issues, US Taxes

The Limits of Pour-Over Clauses in Ontario (And What to Do Instead)

    Today’s blog was written by Karen La Caprara, Counsel, at Fasken LLP. Pour-over clauses in wills are a staple in U.S. estate planning, used to direct estate assets into an existing trust. But in Ontario and British Columbia, these clauses can lead to invalid testamentary gifts, intestacy, and costly litigation. What Is a Pour-Over Clause—and Why Is It Problematic? A pour-over clause is a provision in a will that….

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Estate Administration, Estate Planning, Succession Planning, Tax Issues, Trusts, United States, Wills

Legacy/Death Planning Through a Cultural Lens: Insights for South Asian Families

Scotiatrust

This blog post was written by: Rafia Babar, Associate Estate and Trust Consultant, Scotiatrust Calgary   Legacy planning is not the same for every family. It is especially unique for South Asian families as it often intertwines with cultural norms, religious beliefs and deeply rooted family dynamics that differ from western culture. Understanding these cultural intricacies is essential for professionals that want to build trust and provide culturally competent services….

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Estate Planning, Wills

Marriage Contracts: Process Over (okay, at least equal to) Substance

This blog has been written by Darren Lund, Partner at Fasken LLP.   In several of my previous blogs, I have written about marriage contracts, and why they are an important element of estate planning. From a substantive perspective, there are many reasons why these agreements are relevant and may be needed to support a comprehensive estate plan.[1] If a family business owner has implemented an estate freeze that includes….

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Estate Planning, Spouse

BEHIND THE SCENES – A LEGAL ASSISTANT’S ROLE IN ESTATE PLANNING AND ADMINISTRATION FILES

I’m confident that lawyers and clerks who work with assistants will agree: legal assistants are vital to the daily operations of a legal practice. There have been a number of blogs written about the day in the life of an estate planner or a law clerk working in estates. In today’s blog, I’ve invited my assistant, Sarah Whelan, to share insights into her role and highlight the key aspects of….

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Estate Administration, Estate Planning, Wills

Prime Day Smart Moves: Helping Clients Navigate the July 8–11 Tech Splurge

Scotiatrust

This blog post was written by Dave Madan, Senior Manager, Scotiatrust Amazon Prime Day is here—and it’s a siren song of “unmissable deals” on everything from smartphones and tablets to noise‑cancelling headphones and smart doorbells. But as professionals know, a shiny new gadget can bring hidden headaches: data breaches, estate‑planning gaps, and tangled family dynamics. Here’s how to help clients surf the Prime Day wave—without wiping out later. Turn “Ooh,….

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Estate Planning, In the News, Practice Management
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