Barry Corbin

Planning and Advice

Don’t waste charity tax credits

There can be tax advantages to donating money to a charity at death, but don’t let your clients waste those advantages.

By Barry Corbin |February 13, 2013

3 min read

Estate Planning

Charitable tax credits flexible after death

The income tax act provides that a charitable gift gives rise to a donation tax credit in the calendar year in which the gift was made. And, to the extent the donation tax credit is not claimed in that year, it may be carried forward and claimed in any of the donor’s five succeeding taxation years.

By Barry Corbin |April 1, 2012

3 min read

Estate Planning

4 questions to ask before clients put charities in their wills

A bequest to a charity isn’t as straightforward as leaving money to a relative or a friend, but most clients don’t realize this.

By Barry Corbin |December 2, 2011

2 min read

Estate Planning

Avoid sibling rivalry over jointly held property

Many parents are choosing to hold property jointly with one or more children with a right of survivorship.

By Barry Corbin |September 21, 2011

3 min read

Estate Planning

Five risks to holding property jointly

Holding property jointly has long been called the “poor man’s will”—a way for a person to transfer wealth on death without spending the money to draw up proper documents.

By Barry Corbin |September 20, 2011

2 min read

Estate Planning

Testamentary trusts can be better than joint ownership

For someone living in a jurisdiction with high probate taxes, it can be a near knee-jerk response to hold valuable property jointly with a spouse or with one or more children, with a right of survivorship.

By Barry Corbin |September 19, 2011

3 min read

Estate Planning

Tax consequences of owning property jointly

Moving property from sole ownership into joint ownership with a right of survivorship is a particularly seductive means of reducing exposure to probate taxes.

By Barry Corbin |September 19, 2011

3 min read

Estate Planning

Five ways clients can avoid property hassles

Holding property jointly has long been called the “poor man’s will”—a way for a person to transfer wealth on death without spending the money to draw up proper documents. So, if a client is considering transferring property into joint ownership with a spouse or children, play devil’s advocate and explain the risks

By Barry Corbin |September 1, 2011

2 min read