Fiduciary Trust Canada

Trusts & Estates – Estates

Talk about trusts and estates and you're talking about how life unfolds now and for future generations. Discover stories from Fiduciary Trust Company of Canada addressing the technical and human side of structuring and implementing wills and trusts. Read topics ranging from income splitting to establishing a power of attorney for health care to executor responsibilities.

• Avoid Second Home Surprises
• Tom Junkin
• Winter
• 2012
• Owning a home away from home may mean significant surprises for your estate, ranging from an invalid will to unforeseen taxes.

• The Thing About Stuff
• Fiduciary Trust Canada
• Winter
• 2012
• Apparently we've simply got too much stuff. As self-storage grows, so do the calls to declutter. What about family treasures? We look at the dilemma.

• Digital Assets: Overlooked and Underappreciated
• Thomas E. Junkin
• Fall
• 2012
• Use email or buy books online, or pay bills electronically? Then you have digital assets. But in the realm of estate planning the question of what happens to those assets when the owner dies is simply overlooked.

• An Important Summer Read
• Elaine V. Wilson
• Summer
• 2012
• Taking advantage of summer to review estate documents, including your will and powers of attorney/personal and health care directives, may be the most value summer reading you do.

• Taking Care of Your Business
• Elaine V. Wilson
• Spring
• 2012
• The ripple effects of great succession planning (or no planning) can be far-reaching and long lasting, particularly for family businesses. Find out what's necessary to leave your family the best possible legacy—a smooth transition of your business to the next generation.

• The Value of A to Z
• Fiduciary Trust Canada
• Spring
• 2012
• Collecting is an old and time-honoured pastime that has been traced back as far as ancient Egypt. Whether your focus is rare first-edition books, vintage Barbie dolls or works of art, your collection has meaning. It also has value—monetary and otherwise.

• The Rights Side of Inheriting
• Thomas E. Junkin
• Winter
• 2012
• When it comes to inheritance, do you know your rights? This absorbing case study discusses the expectations, rights and responsibilities involved when the eldest of three siblings is appointed to manage their father's estate.

• Running Interference
• Elaine V. Wilson
• Spring
• 2011
• There is a line between individuals exercising their right to change their will and a vulnerable person making questionable revisions due to pressure from family, friends or caregivers. How do you know when that line has been crossed?

• Planning for Special Needs
• Elaine V. Wilson
• Winter
• 2011
• Estate planning for disabled or vulnerable adult children is often laden with emotion and questions about the future. While there are no easy answers, in terms of structuring financial support, there are options and places to begin.

• Whose Money is It?
• Elaine V. Wilson
• Fall
• 2010
• Joint tenancy with right-of-survivorship is a form of asset ownership by two or more people where the survivor(s) automatically become owners of the deceased's interest in the account when that person dies. Sounds simple, but the issue of who owns what, and when, can raise serious income tax issues.

• The Lessons of Celebrity
• Thomas E. Junkin
• Winter
• 2010
• Martin Luthur King Jr., Brooke Astor, Michael Jackson—celebrity estate stories clearly demonstrate how private matters can take on a very public life of their own. Tom Junkin examines how some stars have avoided the estate planning spotlight and offers suggestions for keeping your final affairs as private as you wish.

• More than a Nine-Letter Word
• Stephen E. Reichenfeld
• Fall
• 2009
• The word "fiduciary" comes from the Latin word for trust—but the fiduciary relationship between client and trustee involves much more.

• What's Yours is Mine?
• Elaine V. Wilson
• Summer
• 2009
• Common-law couples can face unknown territory when it comes to estate planning. Discover some of the considerations that can help you or someone you know avoid the stress of surprises.

• Achieving the Right Balance
• Elaine V. Wilson
• Winter
• 2009
• Aging is not for the faint of heart. This article offers a sound starting point for handling real situations and decisions that both children and their parents may face in the later stages of life.

• Know the Differences Now
• Thomas E. Junkin
• Fall
• 2008
• Are close ties to the United States leaving you vulnerable to U.S. estate tax? When it comes to death and taxes, the rules are very different on both sides of the border.

• Passing on the Family Cottage Options
• Elaine V. Wilson
• Summer
• 2008
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• Six Ways to Procrastinate about Estate Planning
• Thomas E. Junkin
• Spring
• 2008
• Estate planning can be an emotional minefield for many, but we have the answers to the six most common reasons for procrastination.

• What's Ahead for Blended Families
• Elaine V. Wilson
• Winter
• 2008
• Combining "yours, mine and ours" presents unique estate planning challenges for blended families. Many situations call for a trust as an integral part of an overall estate plan. See our case study that starts to answer "what ifs" with options for moving forward.

• Fairly Equal or Equally Fair?
• Elaine V. Wilson
• Fall
• 2007
• How do you divide your estate among loved ones? It's a dilemma for parents and grandparents alike. If the goal is treating everyone equally, then how is equal measured? What if equal isn't fair? We provide avenues for answering what's best for your family.

• Things are Not Always as They Seem
• Thomas E. Junkin
• Summer
• 2007
• Inherit money outright (as a testamentary gift) or inherit money subject to conditions stipulated by your benefactor (in a testamentary trust). Which would you prefer? A snap decision says you'll likely choose the former. Be surprised by the longlasting benefits of the latter.

• Giving while Living
• Elaine V. Wilson
• Spring
• 2007
• Giving significant assets to family now versus later raises a host of benefits. But the "do it now" approach can directly affect your lifestyle. How much should you give and when? What are your options? We raise practical possibilities to help you establish a win-win plan.

• What Kids of all Ages Should Know
• Elaine V. Wilson
• Winter
• 2007
• Finding the "right" time to share the secret of wealth with your children can be a conundrum. The reasons for holding back are many, but inaction can be equally damaging. We share practical options for helping your family grow up well with wealth.

• Defining Yours, Mine and Ours
• Thomas E. Junkin
• Fall
• 2006
• Finding your way as a blended family raises the question: How do you address your unique realities when developing an estate plan? How do you keep things as clearly separated or combined as you wish? We offer a good place to start.

• Putting Power in the Right Hands
• Elaine V. Wilson
• Summer
• 2006
• We look at the details and importance of appointing a power of attorney (PA). What happens if your PA can no longer fulfill their duties? Read Oscar and Mona's story to see how life's twists and turns can erode original plans. Read how your family can avoid a similar situation.

• Great Returns Come from Family Giving
• Stephen E. Reichenfeld
• Summer
• 2006
• Whether it's your belief in giving, or a passion for a certain cause, you're committed to influencing change now and in the future. See how a family giving plan can provide a consistent structure and focus for generations to come. We highlight how to get started.

• Have the Final Word
• Thomas E. Junkin
• Spring
• 2006
• Estate disputes have torn families apart for centuries. There are, however, ways to avoid court fights. Read our case study and see the steps Harry Air took to ensure his Will could withstand fundamental legal challenges by his son George.

• Own a Place in Mexico
• Thomas E. Junkin
• Winter
• 2006
• Owning property in Mexico may be a dream come true, but ensure you're aware of the estate planning issues it triggers. Mexico, for instance, does not automatically recognize the validity of a Canadian Will as it relates to property ownership in that country. Learn more.

• What to Do about Lucy?
• Thomas E. Junkin
• Fall
• 2005
• How can you leave your wealth to a loved one whose lifestyle is in constant flux? This case study examines the story of one man and his daughter, and how he's structuring his estate to fulfill his wishes and care for her.

• Inherit Wisely
• Thomas E. Junkin
• Spring
• 2005
• Inheriting money from a loved one may seem simple, but it's fraught with conflicting emotions and options. Learn how to navigate the emotional minefield and make smart financial decisions. We share several practical steps for moving forward at your own pace and on your own terms.

• Meeting of the Minds
• Fiduciary Trust Canada
• Fall
• 2004
• Keeping the lines of communication open can help your family preserve its wealth and smooth the transition when the time comes to transfer that wealth to a new generation. Discover how regular, well-structured meetings can help your family stay strong for generations to come.

• Family Favourites Equal Family Feud
• Thomas E. Junkin
• Summer
• 2004
• Perhaps it's a painting or a favourite chair or a piece of jewelry that's the focal point. No matter how close your family may be, settling the estate of a loved one can stress relationships. We explore ways to divide possessions and assets as peacefully as possible.