Recent Ontario Court of Appeal decision provides an important lesson to farming families and their professional advisors: good intentions and family loyalty, while laudable, are no substitute for clear, enforceable agreements. 05 Sep

Court Decision: Important Lesson for Ontario Farming Families

You only have so many hours in the day, days in a week, or patience in being pulled in different directions. Being proactive may seem like extra work now, but it will pay dividends— plan ahead, and the journey will be much smoother. 05 Sep

Balancing End-of-Life Planning for Your Aging Parents and for Yourself

It is important to clearly document and communicate intentions when making either a loan or a gift to a family member. Sometimes we assume a verbal agreement is sufficient but having clear written documentation removes uncertainty and mitigates the risk of disputes arising after the fact. 05 Sep

A Family Feud Unwrapped in Court: Gifts vs Loans

A "letter of wishes" can also be known as a memorandum of wishes, a precatory memorandum, an expression of wishes, or a letter of intent. It serves as a non-binding document to provide guidance to executors and trustees regarding the administration of an estate or trust.  02 Sep

Letter of Wishes: Common Synonyms & Primary Use Cases

Baby boomers are expected to pass down $124 trillion by 2048, and women are positioned to inherit much of that wealth. But many say they feel unprepared to manage an inheritance... 27 Aug

Statistics: Majority of Women Confess ‘Inheritance Anxiety’

If you’re building wealth for future generations, open communication and clear planning are just as important as investment strategies. These stories offer practical lessons for anyone hoping to pass on wealth— or simply keep their family together... 27 Aug

Wealthy Families That Lost Everything Over Generational Feuds

While a letter of wishes is not legally binding, it can still serve as a useful tool and an added “personal touch” to an estate plan, offering clarity on decisions, ensuring wishes are understood and guiding those involved in the administration of the estate. 22 Aug

The Letter of Wishes: A Personal Touch to Your Estate Plan

Common themes in inheritance disputes include challenges to a will's validity, unfair or unequal asset distribution, family dynamics and pre-existing tensions, lack of clear estate planning, and issues with executor misconduct or mismanagement.  21 Aug

Inheritance Disputes: Common Themes & Recent Cases (Ontario)

Four points to keep in mind when telling others you are choosing MAID: (1) Don't do it alone, (2) Set the stage, (3) Don't sugarcoat the core message, and (4) Don't leave it too late 15 Aug

Choosing MAID: How Do You Tell Your Loved Ones?

Clear communication, updated documents, and proactive estate planning can help families minimize disputes over inherited wealth. 13 Aug

How to Minimize Family Disputes Over Inherited Wealth

Losing a loved one is never easy. What makes it even harder is when this loss is compounded by uncertainty about what happens to their debts... 10 Aug

Are You Responsible for a Deceased Loved One’s Debt in Canada?

If you want your family’s money to last, you need to know what these millionaires missed. The right habits make all the difference... 09 Aug

Making Your Family’s Money Last: Start Teaching Habits Now