Consider this situation: Dan is 75 years old and widowed with three children. He has a successful farming operation in Saskatchewan, but also owns farmland in Alberta and has a condo in Palm Springs. How do we deal with these assets on Dan’s death?
Stories by Amanda Doucette
Estate planning is about more than just writing a will
It is important to recognize that estate planning is about more than just making a will. There are actually a number of factors that go into the creation of a successful plan.
Estate planning about more than deciding to write a will
We often hear about how we should be working on our “estate planning,” but what does that really mean? It is important to recognize that “estate planning” is about more than just making your will. There are actually a number of factors that go into the creation of a successful plan. This article highlights a […] Read more
Caution required when rearranging ownership of an asset
I’m sure you’ve heard of someone who decided to add their adult child’s name to a parcel of land or bank account to “ease” the estate planning process and to “save probate fees.” There are pros and cons to taking this step, and it is so important to ensure that a statement of intention is […] Read more
Gift giving not always as simple as one might first think
One would think that it would be very simple to know whether someone had given you a gift, but not necessarily. It is amazing how easily there can be a difference of opinion on the topic. Consider the following example. Mom and Dad gave $100,000 to Child 1. Mom and Dad subsequently died, and Children […] Read more
Farm estate plan requires developing a solid foundation
As we enter into a new year, many people turn their mind to those tasks that may have been pushed aside in the previous year. Making sure your estate plan is in place is one task that should be on your to do list for the new year. Putting together a plan for what will […] Read more
What happens to your Facebook account when you die?
The car, the tractor, the shares in our farming corporation, the investments — these are the assets we usually think about when preparing our will. However, there is another group of assets that has become increasingly relevant in the last few years — digital assets. You might believe you don’t have digital assets, but the […] Read more
Farm estate planning: where there’s a will, there’s a way
Putting together a plan for what will happen to your assets after your death can feel like an overwhelming task. There are so many variables to consider: How will my debts be paid? How do I make sure that all my kids are treated fairly? How do I ensure that my farmland will remain in […] Read more
