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Latest news in Estate Planning

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Help your client avoid losing GRE status

Contributions and loans to a graduated rate estate can have tax consequences

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Potential tax implications from renting a principal residence

A change in use could result in a deemed disposition

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Don’t let real estate add to relationship woes

Consider the tax consequences before transferring property after a separation

Will document

Estate experts seek resolution on beneficiary designation issue

Stakeholders want it to be clear that beneficiary designations indicate the deceased's wishes

wills-estate-battle

Beneficiary designations affirmed in Ontario court decision

The decision in Mak (Estate) v Mak differs from the controversial Calmusky ruling

gavel

Court overturns father’s decision to disinherit daughters

Adult twins who were disinherited by their dad have been granted 70% of his estate by a B.C. judge

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Non-resident executors and posting bond

Clients may need to revise their wills if they’ve named out-of-jurisdiction executors

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Ontario’s new probate process for small estates is easier

New rules may allow more executors without a legal background to apply for probate

house versus cottage

Home or cottage: Which should be a principal residence?

Knowing the answer can help maximize your client’s wealth

Will document

Marriage no longer automatically revokes a will in Ontario

Bill 245 has received royal assent, which also means that Ontario is a substantive compliance province and virtual will witnessing is permanent

Chateau Frontenac in Quebec city, Canada

Quebec extends tax for financial institutions, drops small biz tax rate

The finance minister forecast a deficit of $12.3 billion this fiscal year

Will document

Can a trust avoid tax on a deceased person’s RRSP?

A trustee’s tax liability has limits, a court case suggests

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RRSPs, RRIFs and withholding taxes at death

The absence of withholding taxes can create unexpected consequences if no planning is done

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Wills and power of attorney for cross-border clients

Planning for foreign assets may require multiple documents

father and son

The secret to using secret trusts

Clients considering the strategy must take extra care

Will document

Ontario could join other provinces in letting courts save invalid wills

Some estate experts argue changing the law could lead to unintended consequences

Sir Oliver Mowat statue at the Ontario Legislative Building in Toronto

Ontario survivors could now receive more if their spouses die without a will

Ontario raised preferential share to $350,000 as of March 1

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Severance planning: What your client should consider

Use these tips for discussions and decision-making

gavel on a wooden bench

Ontario raises small estate limit to $150,000

The change takes effect April 1

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Breaking down the duty to inform

Regularly providing information to beneficiaries — and keeping records — will go a long way

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Chess and retirement planning

The decumulation game requires a dynamic strategy

Tax problems business and financial concept as a businessman on a road to success blocked by a brick wall with the word taxes painted on the surface as a metaphor for finance issues as an adversity to growth.

Tax consequences when your client leaves Canada

Planning helps reduce the negative impacts

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Restraints to testamentary freedom when drafting a will

Help your client avoid these pitfalls

Bridge to Canada Sign

Transferring a 401(k) or IRA to Canada

Issues and strategies for Canadians thinking about transferring their U.S.-based retirement plans

coins in a row

Pandemic complicates discretionary trust payouts

Trustees must balance the interests of income and capital beneficiaries amid economic uncertainty