All About Estates
By Sebastien Desmarais
September 8th, 2026
Corporate Financial Statements: An Overlooked Estate Planning Tool
For many business owners, the corporation is often the largest asset in the family’s estate and the key asset to their succession plan. For estate planners, the discussion often focuses on a review of Wills, Powers of Attorney, shared ownership, and family objectives while the corporation’s financial statements receive only limited attention, if any at all, which may lead to missed opportunities.
A careful review of a corporation’s financial statements can reveal the importance of planning opportunities and tax considerations that may otherwise remain hidden.
In many respects, a corporation’s financial statements are a roadmap for estate planning. They often reveal hidden opportunities and planning possibilities that may not be apparent from reviewing a Will, shareholder register, or corporate minute book alone.
