Estate Planning

Planning for Your Family's Future

Creating an estate plan is about more than just writing a will. It’s about ensuring your wishes are carried out, your loved ones are protected, and your assets are preserved for future generations. Life changes, such as marriage, buying a home, having children, or approaching retirement, all signal it’s time to create or update your plan.

We take time to understand your unique situation, family dynamics, and goals. Whether you’re a young couple creating your first simple will or managing complex assets that require sophisticated tax planning, we ensure that every detail is properly addressed. Our approach combines legal expertise with practical guidance to create plans that work for real families facing real situations.

Wills

A properly prepared will lets you control who receives your assets and who cares for your minor children. Without one, provincial law decides, which may not reflect your wishes.

Your will allows you to choose your executor, decide when children receive their inheritance, provide for dependents with special needs, minimize taxes through strategic planning, and speed up the probate process for your family. We draft clear, comprehensive wills that withstand scrutiny and help avoid family disputes.

Powers of Attorney

A Power of Attorney appoints someone you trust to manage your financial affairs if you become unable to do so yourself. This enduring document continues even if you become mentally incapacitated.

Without one, your family must apply to the court for guardianship, which is a costly, stressful, and time-consuming process during an already difficult period. We prepare Powers of Attorney that grant your chosen representative the necessary authority while protecting against potential misuse.

Medical Consent Appointments (Personal Directives)

Also known as a “living will,” a Personal Directive appoints someone to make healthcare and personal care decisions on your behalf if you are unable to make them yourself.

This covers medical treatment, nutrition and hydration, admission to care facilities, and end-of-life care. We help you document your wishes clearly and choose the right person to carry them out, giving you control over your care when you need it most.

Trusts

Trusts offer sophisticated control over your assets during your lifetime and after your death. They serve multiple purposes, including protecting assets from creditors, funding children’s education, managing money for beneficiaries who may not be ready for large sums, and reducing taxes through income splitting.

We create trusts tailored to your specific needs, ensuring proper structure and administration. Whether it’s a simple trust for minor children or complex arrangements for tax planning, we handle all aspects of creation and implementation.

Guardianship Applications

When someone becomes incapable of managing their property or personal care without having proper documents in place, the court must appoint a guardian.

We guide families through this serious legal process, preparing all court documents, developing guardianship plans, and representing you at hearings. While guardianship reduces a person’s autonomy, it is sometimes necessary to protect vulnerable individuals.

Privacy Protection

When estates go through probate, the values of assets become a public record. For those who value privacy, this can be concerning.

We utilize strategies such as multiple wills, beneficiary designations, joint ownership structures, and trusts to maintain the privacy of your financial affairs while ensuring a smooth transfer of assets to your beneficiaries.

Tax Planning for Estates

Careful planning can significantly reduce the tax burden on your estate and beneficiaries. Without proper planning, taxes can consume a substantial portion of your legacy.

We analyze your assets and develop strategies to minimize capital gains tax on death, use tax-efficient rollover provisions, maximize charitable donations, structure business succession, and coordinate with your accountant for comprehensive planning.

Nursing Home Planning

The Social Assistance Act considers only income, not assets, when calculating nursing home costs. Planning several years in advance of any move can protect your home and savings.

We advise on asset protection strategies, timing of property transfers, income management techniques, and coordination with government programs. Early planning ensures you understand your options before making major life decisions.