Property

Total 148 Posts

The Cost of Winning, Sort of….

In my practice, I have been engaged on valuation matters which, on occasion despite the efforts of all those involved, go to trial to have a trial judge settle for the parties. Most trials are expensive and the actual outcome is not always certain, no matter how strong one side of the matter or case might be. It has been my experience that even if one happens to be on….

The Cost of Winning, Sort of…. Continue Reading »

Costs, Estate Administration, Estate Litigation, Executors, Joint Tenancy, Property, Uncategorized, Undue influence, Wills

A Gift is a Gift

We often write about the benefits (and some pitfalls) of gifting, before and after death. Personally, when I recommend gifting, I assume that unless there are specific outcomes required to realize on the gift, a gift is exactly that, a gift – something transferred voluntarily without expectation of getting it back because you changed your mind.  A recent court case appears to support this assumption. According to Johnston v. Song, 2018….

A Gift is a Gift Continue Reading »

Charitable Giving, Estate Planning, Family Conflict, Investments, Probate Tax, Property, Real Estate, Separation, Spouse, Uncategorized

Trust Allocations and Gifts to Family Members

A common estate planning technique is to structure a family trust which owns the shares of a small business corporation in such a way that allows each beneficiary (most commonly being members of the taxpayer’s immediate family – spouse and/or children) to participate in the sale or disposition of the business, thereby utilizing their life time capital gains exemption and potentially saving several hundred thousand dollars in taxes payable on….

Trust Allocations and Gifts to Family Members Continue Reading »

Business Succession Planning, Canada Revenue Agency, Estate Planning, Investments, Property, Small Business, Tax Issues, Trustee, Trusts, Uncategorized

Estate and Trusts with Foreign Properties and/or Transactions: Update on Reporting Implications

Sometime ago, I wrote that the Income Tax Act requires persons and partnerships to file information returns in respect of foreign property ownership (specified foreign property in excess $100,000) and transactions with non-residents . This extends to trusts and estates. Those who file such a return late or do not file one on demand are liable to a penalty or penalties. Generally speaking, a penalty starts at a minimum of….

Estate and Trusts with Foreign Properties and/or Transactions: Update on Reporting Implications Continue Reading »

Canada Revenue Agency, Estate Administration, Executors, In the News, International, Investments, Property, Real Estate, Tax Issues, Trustee, Trusts, Uncategorized, United States

Estate Planning – A Lesson in Communication

So I was meeting with the beneficiaries of an estate to finalize some of the tax filings to be made. The tax filings reflected a series of transactions completed to eliminate double taxation on the disposition of some of the estate’s assets. What was causing the possibility of double taxation was the fact that my client (now deceased) had purchased a property thru a holding company, which was in effect….

Estate Planning – A Lesson in Communication Continue Reading »

Canada Revenue Agency, Credibility, Estate Administration, Estate Planning, Family Conflict, Fiduciary Professions, Property, Real Estate, Uncategorized, Wills

Gifting Personalty

This Blog was written by: Sally Lee, J.D. In an old New York Times article, I read about Jackie Kennedy Onnasis’ personal effects being initially valued at $6 million and later sold at auction for $34.5 million. The IRS, no doubt, went after its share. When I meet clients for estate planning, I often ask if they own something of significant worth that could be featured on “Antiques Roadshow”. Usually,….

Gifting Personalty Continue Reading »

Estate Planning, Property, Uncategorized
Scroll to Top