I’m always talking about how valuable testamentary trusts are, but does that mean every person should include one in their will? Not always. Check out my VLOG about when it’s okay NOT to use a testamentary trust in your will. And I’ve shared some links to my previous posts if you want to find out […]
If we’ve ever caught up for a coffee or if you’ve heard me speak at a seminar, you will know that Testamentary Trusts are my FAVOURITE estate planning tool. I get asked all the time about testamentary trusts: are they worth the money or just over complicating things? Short answer? I believe that a testamentary […]
Tips for choosing financial controllers under your estate plan One of the most fundamental decisions in your estate plan is who to nominate as your financial controllers i.e. your financial attorneys, executors and (if using a testamentary trust) trustees. While there are some legal rules surrounding who can be appointed to these roles, there are […]
Will a surviving spouse really benefit from a testamentary trust? This question has come up with clients twice in the last week and I thought my two cents (should it be five cents now?) was worth sharing with all the other readers of the blog. Further to my previous blog posts Testamentary trusts: worth every […]
Keeping it in the family – one trust per child or all children in one trust? One issue that comes up in nearly every estate planning exercise with two or more children is whether the children should receive their inheritance in a single testamentary trust for all children (and ultimately grandchildren) or via a separate testamentary trust […]
Helping out the kids – loan or gift? This issue came up in a recent client meeting, and it was a great reminder about the importance of getting the structure right when dealing with financial assistance between family members, given the prevalence of parents assisting their children with purchasing a first home. A number of […]