Estate tax

Estate Planning

Fiscal cliff could raise cross-border taxes

President Obama’s re-election may mean higher taxes for Americans in Canada and Canadians with American property. Why?

By Terry F. Ritchie |December 4, 2012

4 min read

Estate Planning

A Jedi Master’s estate plan

Star Wars creator George Lucas recently sold his franchise to Disney in a $4.05 billion cash deal. Many estate planning experts are calling the “move worthy of a Jedi Master,” reports marketwatch.com. None of Lucas’s three adopted children wanted to take over the empire, so the strategy will save them the hassles of managing their […]

By Wire services |November 6, 2012

1 min read

Estate Planning

When to use dual wills

Many Ontario estate planners tell clients to consider drafting dual wills to reduce probate taxes.

By John Lorinc |November 1, 2012

5 min read

Estate Planning

Debt and taxes

A personal representative (executor in some jurisdictions, estate trustee in Ontario, liquidator in Quebec) must deal with estate debts, potential claims against the estate and taxes when a loved one passes.

By Tim Brisibe |October 22, 2012

3 min read

Bad estate planning burns inheritance

With proper tax planning, you can reduce the amount of taxes payable on your property. But, improper planning can cost you a whole lot more; one B.C. couple's ill-advised plans cost them $700,000.

2 min read

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.

3 min read

Estate tax

Fiscal cliff could raise cross-border taxes

A Jedi Master’s estate plan

When to use dual wills

Debt and taxes

Don’t fudge a business valuation

Bad estate planning burns inheritance

How to use testamentary trusts

Are your clients managing the finances of others?

How to define an estate

Charitable tax credits flexible after death