tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4360241295753541452012-02-10T21:26:18.387-08:00Practical, real-world information about wills, estate planning, business succession planning and elder law in CanadaLynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.comBlogger14771100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-37178585858180624702012-02-09T21:39:00.000-08:002012-02-09T21:39:39.795-08:00

The relationship between lawyers and executors is in theory pretty simple. The executor represents the estate and hires the lawyer to give legal advice and to prepare probate documents. However, in practice there is often confusion among clients, executors and beneficiaries as to the role the lawyer is supposed to play. The following question, which is really a group of separate but related

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-53874290393254561272012-02-07T09:43:00.000-08:002012-02-07T09:43:49.490-08:00

Having just posted a story about how kids pay for the parents' lack of planning, I'm now going to share with you a story about how a parent paid for trusting her own son. Click here to read the story. You wouldn't think trusting your own kids would be such a devastating mistake, would you? In my seminars I always talk about true situations in which parents have appointed kids who never

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-34202885644012940182012-02-06T10:07:00.000-08:002012-02-06T10:07:09.350-08:00

One of my favourite Canadian blogs is http://www.allaboutestates.ca/ . Today they have a post by Paul Fensom that illustrates what can happen when someone fails to do any estate planning at all. It's a sad story but not at all uncommon. The daughter is paying dearly for her Dad's lack of planning. My guess is that the father felt his affairs were so simple, he didn't need to plan. In any event,

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-12616805182235237802012-02-05T23:17:00.000-08:002012-02-05T23:17:13.499-08:00

The article below talks about why you might not be receiving an inheritance from your parents when the time comes. I think it's worth a read, as I'm often approached by individuals whose parents have passed away and who simply can't believe "there is nothing left".One caveat about this article though - it's American. That means you should skip over the details about taxes. The US has a different

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-70268958776236823212012-02-01T00:29:00.000-08:002012-02-01T00:29:34.880-08:00

This reader sent in a question that I think will look familiar to many of you. It has to do with debts in one parent's estate and how they affect the surviving parent. Hi my dad is very ill and wont likely be with us much longer I am afraid. Our problem is he owes a lot in credit card debt, solely his debt. The only asset in his estate is the house he and my mom share. It is fully paid for,

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-91558686135449749272012-01-29T16:54:00.000-08:002012-01-29T16:54:04.894-08:00

Recently several readers have sent me questions about how long it takes for an estate to wind up, and how long they have to wait to get an accounting. For any executors reading this post, take note that beneficiaries are going to see lawyers and starting law suits, all because you won't send them financial information. I'm going to start with this question: My grandfather died five years ago

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-4327438090552285042012-01-26T09:12:00.000-08:002012-01-26T09:12:51.681-08:00

Passing on family wealth can be really stressful. Parents worry, and often rightly so, about the effect it would have on their children to inherit a lot of money. Partly it's worrying about blowing the money, but it's really about changing their children's values. Work ethic, moderation, desire for education - all of those things can go out the window when a child (of any age) inherits a

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-53763778949740748562012-01-25T22:05:00.000-08:002012-01-25T22:05:36.732-08:00

Today I spent two hours talking with a client about her estate plan. On our previous meeting, we spent almost four hours. This is exceptional in terms of the amount of time spent; usually things can be wrapped up in significantly less time when a client doesn't own a business or a farm. But this particular client is trying to find the line between protecting her daughter and punishing her.

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-44743105750451356532012-01-25T10:16:00.000-08:002012-01-25T10:16:40.202-08:00

As regular readers of this blog know, Alberta has a wide-sweeping new Wills and Succession Act coming into force on February 1. I've blogged about some of the changes in previous posts. The latest news is that the law is coming into effect as planned, but without one particular item. That item is the section that allows for a married person, on the death of his or her spouse, to apply for a share

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-84843959743382129672012-01-23T11:41:00.000-08:002012-01-23T11:41:05.664-08:00

The following story describes how thieves who stole, among other things, an urn containing the ashes of a blind woman's husband, later returned the urn. She blessed them for their act of kindness. I'd be more inclined to bless them if they had also returned her jewelry and electronics. Or better still, didn't steal from blind seniors' homes on Christmas Eve.Stolen urn containing husband's ashes

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-88606739353204884282012-01-23T11:20:00.000-08:002012-01-23T11:20:08.722-08:00

Giving someone an advance on an inheritance, and documenting it properly, can be done pretty simply. But there are a few things to watch out for. The following question from a reader raises the topic: What is the legal procedure for a testator to give an advance to a beneficiary for a portion of their inheritance? In this case, the niece of the testator is named as a specific beneficiary in

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-16455252178550215392012-01-20T14:21:00.000-08:002012-01-20T14:21:03.332-08:00

I'm very pleased to announce that I'll be writing a regular column for the Globe and Mail on business succession planning for their Report on Business section. Watch for my first column on February 1, and then every four weeks after that. As if you all didn't get enough of me already. As always, comments and ideas are always welcome.

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-88239987318750357232012-01-17T17:19:00.000-08:002012-01-17T17:19:28.931-08:00

As a lawyer, my job is to find legal solutions to problems and to put legal plans into place to prevent legal issues from arising. But one thing I know for sure about estates is that there is so much more to them than just legal issues. Sure, there are financial and tax matters to deal with too, but what I'm really talking about are the human issues. The interactions between beneficiaries and

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-25700538044696674512012-01-17T12:08:00.000-08:002012-01-17T12:08:22.471-08:00

When a client sees his or her lawyer to talk about wills, powers of attorney and health care directives, a good deal of time is (or should be) spent talking about who the person wants to act on his or her behalf. Someone has to be named as executor of the will. Sometimes a person other than the executor is appointed trustee of certain trusts under the will. Sometimes a guardian has to be

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-41164991559761009232012-01-16T09:35:00.000-08:002012-01-16T09:35:55.115-08:00

I missed this article when it came out in the Financial Post soon after Christmas but fortunately someone brought it to my attention. It contains some really useful advice for executors on how to handle the debts of the estate so that the executor doesn't end up paying them personally. Click here to read the article.

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-88728061672289518002012-01-12T13:27:00.001-08:002012-01-12T13:27:02.688-08:00

Thanks to the folks at http://www.disinherited.com/ for the following summary of a recent BC case in which the court wouldn't allow an executor to have the fee she claimed. I like to post this type of article because they are real-life examples of what's going on out there and many of you will be able to relate the cases to your own situations. The case is called Re Stolarchuk Estate 2011 BCSC

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-43623689419837844582012-01-12T13:14:00.000-08:002012-01-12T13:14:44.284-08:00

This recent article from Jonathan Chevreau of the Financial Post will give you the basics you need to know about TFSAs. I notice that a large proportion of my clients started using TFSAs as soon as they became available, and those who didn't are getting into them now and catching up. Click here to read the article.

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-44312560658721445482012-01-11T21:20:00.000-08:002012-01-11T21:20:05.532-08:00

Thanks to those of you who knew I hadn't been blogging much lately due to my mom's illness and sent me a note. As you can see from the attached link, my beautiful, wonderful Mom has passed on.I'm in the Vancouver airport, on my way home, and will jump back into blogging asap. Dorothy Christine Butler (nee Lockwood)

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-63476539372453258772012-01-06T12:26:00.000-08:002012-01-06T12:26:53.702-08:00

It's great that people are reading my warnings about using joint tenancy as an estate-planning tool without legal advice. This question from a reader gives me a reason to go a little deeper into the issue of intergenerational joint tenancy. "I live with my mom in her principal residence. It is paid for and she has no debt. She intends to pass on the house to me after her passing, and her

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-25534644678047401012012-01-05T10:14:00.000-08:002012-01-05T10:14:21.492-08:00

This article from http://www.capitalmagazine.ca/ offers some simple advice to business owners thinking of gifting their  business to their children. He says not to do it. Click here to read the article and find out why. The attached photo is also from that article in http://www.capitalmagazine.ca/.

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-84003101809897609312012-01-04T13:55:00.000-08:002012-01-04T13:55:36.733-08:00

This post talks about what can happen to an executor who appears to be completely out of control. The question was sent in by a reader (thank you) about his or her particular circumstances but I believe a lot of readers out there will find the story to be a variation on their own situations: "My grandmother died a year ago and my uncle was named executor in her will. He has not taken

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-83893015065945396942012-01-04T12:43:00.000-08:002012-01-04T12:43:38.815-08:00

Happy new year, all. I think I'll start the new year off with one of those stories that makes you just shake your head. Click on the link below to read about four animals who are super-rich due to their owners leaving them millions of dollars in their wills. Even if I had millions, which I never will, I wouldn't leave it to my cat. She owes me for all the destroyed furniture.The Top 4 Richest

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-41379324761673286652011-12-30T22:05:00.001-08:002011-12-30T22:05:11.138-08:00

I received this question from a reader about tax on a property inherited from a parent. Though I have blogged several times about this topic, it's worth covering again. Here's the question :"I live with my 82 year old father. He intends to leave this house, our principal residence, to me on his death. If he passes, will I lose my home? I don't have very much money to pay any taxes and my father

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-22729212035098122472011-12-30T13:08:00.000-08:002011-12-30T13:09:09.041-08:00

Hello everyone. I apologize for the lack of posts over the last week. I've spent this week sitting with my Mom in the hospital as her cancer is winning the battle.Every day I have to remember the advice I've given readers in my books and on this blog. Take the emotion out of your decision-making I've told you time and again. That's certainly not easy, is it? As have many of you, I've had to learn

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-39983273574094960322011-12-22T09:48:00.000-08:002011-12-22T09:48:32.681-08:00

I found this article from http://www.capitalmagazine.ca/ fascinating because it showed so very clearly how much different it can be from one business to another - and one family to another - to pass a family business to the next generation. The people who are the focus of the article get along a heck of a lot better than many families I've encountered, and it's great to see how they are rewarded

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-67492801793596940292011-12-22T09:26:00.000-08:002011-12-22T09:26:17.539-08:00

Clients often ask me if there is a tax break available if they leave charitable donations in their wills. The answer is yes, and this article from The Financial Post explains how it works. It also talks about donor advised funds work, such as the Aqueduct fund that I work with here at Scotia Trust. Click here to read the article.

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-67550253802797315012011-12-18T13:10:00.000-08:002011-12-18T13:10:10.657-08:00

How often do you read advice that includes "put yourself first"? This article says exactly that, among other tips. Click here to read an article from http://www.seniorliving.about.com/ that discusses ways to deal with being both a parent and a caregiving child at the same time.

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-30764922808232955672011-12-18T12:57:00.000-08:002011-12-18T12:57:02.128-08:00

When a family member passes away, which duties fall to the executor named in the will, and which fall to the deceased's spouse? It's not always clear-cut, especially when assets go to the surviving spouse by right of survivorship. The following question from a reader is typical of what many people go through when someone passes away, and I think it may look familiar to many of you. Here's the

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-17342301045595602342011-12-15T12:05:00.000-08:002011-12-15T12:05:59.534-08:00

This article from http://www.symcoandco.com/ discusses how business owners think about their businesses and their retirements. It gives some thought-provoking insight into changing how business owners think. Click here to read the article.

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-21110632276234537612011-12-15T11:52:00.000-08:002011-12-15T11:52:47.119-08:00

Over the last several months I've blogged a few times about the new laws about to take effect in Alberta. These new laws touch on wills, intestacy, claims by dependants, and matrimonial property division, among other things. This article from http://www.capitalmagazine.ca/ goes into some detail about how you can now "divorce the dead". I recommend that all Albertans read it by clicking here.

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-37478152609350585522011-12-13T09:08:00.000-08:002011-12-13T09:08:09.552-08:00

I agree with the author of this post from http://www.elderlawanswers.com/ that a letter of instruction can be a very useful tool. You can give explanations for your choices if you wish, such as explaining that one of your children received less than the others under the will because you already gave that child a down payment on  a house. Or you can express wishes for how your children or

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-63202211249372880222011-12-12T11:07:00.000-08:002011-12-12T11:07:19.625-08:00

In my job, I spend quite a bit of time talking to people about who should inherit their estates once they've passed away. I urge people to be as clear as possible, and remind my clients that their meaning has to be expressed in writing in a way that needs no explanation or clarification from outside sources. The need for greater clarity often arises when a testator (person whose will it is)

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-14070440577709432282011-12-07T08:49:00.000-08:002011-12-07T08:49:09.054-08:00

The link below goes to an article in www.newswire.ca that talks about balancing how much research you do into a charity against your passion for the charity's cause or work. The article quotes Malcolm Burrows, with whom I am lucky enough to work from time to time.Holiday Giving: 'Tis the Season to Give from the Heart

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-71122620500669721962011-12-05T13:58:00.001-08:002011-12-05T14:00:09.012-08:00

Have you ever thought about getting rid of the caregiver who is looking after your elderly parent? Or perhaps you've wondered whether your misgivings about the caregiver are even justified? Financial planner Chris Cooper blogged about this recently. Click here to read his post.

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-44142186601363956822011-12-02T14:47:00.001-08:002011-12-02T14:51:36.107-08:00

I get the feeling that when estate planning lawyers such as myself say that it's dangerous to try to avoid probate without understanding the full implications of what you're doing, people aren't really listening. They somehow suspect that things will be okay for them no matter what we doom-and-gloomers say. Unfortunately for the families of those people, it truly is sometimes a bad idea to make "

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-82163674503590213122011-11-30T16:20:00.001-08:002011-11-30T16:32:42.644-08:00

In BC, Sheryl Laing brought an action in court to vary a will, and was successful (Laing vs. Jarvis Estate, 2011 BCSC 1411). The executor of the estate, Kevin Jarvis, fought the court action. He wasn't a beneficiary of the estate. When a beneficiary goes to court to ask for a ruling such as this, or on interpretation of the language of a will, the executor is not supposed to take sides. The

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-14513883464977265612011-11-30T15:50:00.001-08:002011-11-30T16:02:55.283-08:00

As I love most classic literature I was pleased to see that a reputable production company has signed a deal with HBO and the literary executor of the estate of William Faulkner, Nobel prizewinner and author of several important novels and short stories. Click here to read the story in http://www.huffingtonpost.com/. As an estate planning lawyer, I was even more pleased to see that Mr.

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-55351325346760857512011-11-29T12:39:00.001-08:002011-11-29T12:41:21.328-08:00

What a great idea for a business! It employs younger seniors who still want to work, and helps older seniors who aren't ill but need help with daily life. Sounds like a win-win to me. Click here to read this story from the Financial Post.

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-67382094851802163242011-11-28T10:12:00.001-08:002011-11-28T10:15:37.028-08:00

I found this story by the daughter of someone who recently passed away. She was so impressed by, and grateful for, the way her father planned his estate, she wrote an article about it for http://www.getrichslowly.org/. In all my years of working in this industry, I've never seen anyone plan their estate with this much care and attention to detail, so I found the story amazing. Click here to read

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-55515656306884391192011-11-27T00:15:00.001-08:002011-11-27T00:43:28.975-08:00

When estate law is applied to a complex family, the results are always interesting.  The following is a question recently sent to me by a blog reader in which family considerations are somewhat complicated: My common-law husband and I have lived together for twenty years, in a house which is solely in my name, as is the mortgage on it. I want to make sure that when I die, my husband will be

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-73143490678312705652011-11-24T09:36:00.001-08:002011-11-24T09:40:56.037-08:00

This article from yahoo.com talks about the importance of having an Enduring Power of Attorney as part of your estate plan. it gives tips on how to successfully act as attorney. It also talks about how Scotia Private Client Group can help people with their powers of attorney, which of course makes me happy, since I work there! Click here to read the article.

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-910845917728805812011-11-24T09:11:00.001-08:002011-11-24T09:13:49.946-08:00

This question-and-answer article about capital gains tax was found on http://www.capitalmagazine.ca/ and was originally published at http://www.montrealgazette.com/. This is exactly the kind of question I'm frequently asked by readers on this blog, so I'm sure many of you will be interested in the article. Click here to read it.

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-18206813016940282482011-11-21T14:25:00.000-08:002011-11-21T14:25:19.486-08:00

Not long ago I posted an article here about a new product - insurance for executors to cover off liability for making mistakes on an estate. Since then, the idea of executor insurance has been getting noticed more and more and I've been keeping my eye on what lawyers and executors are saying so that I can pass on their comments to you. Click on the link below to see what the lawyers over at

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-87732962960751479332011-11-20T13:39:00.001-08:002011-11-20T13:42:20.868-08:00

This article from http://www.capitalmagazine.ca/ contains a wealth of information for business owners who are in the planning stages of succession planning. It talks about capital gains tax and the lifetime capital gains exemption. And it's easy to read! Click here to read the article.  The attached photo is also from that webpage.

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-45119341323490741262011-11-19T15:20:00.001-08:002011-11-19T15:25:02.048-08:00

If this turns out to be true, what a relief to get these two off the streets. A lot of creativity and planning went into the scheme described in this story of two estate planners getting rich off stealing the identities of the terminally ill. Click here to read the article from http://www.businessweek.com/.

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-79987380134438325032011-11-18T22:52:00.001-08:002011-11-18T23:17:43.473-08:00

I'm always telling my readers that they should put some careful thought into their choice of executor, so I was glad to see the following question from a reader who is obviously weighing his or her options. Here is the question: "What is your opinion in having more than one executor named in a Will vs.one?" Let me start by saying that there is no one right answer to that question that will

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-29926210133924590472011-11-17T13:01:00.001-08:002011-11-17T13:02:56.678-08:00

Our friends over at http://www.allaboutestates.ca/ have tackled the question of whether a testator (i.e. person who makes up their will) should show the will to his or her named executor while the testator is still alive. Click here to read the article by Paul Fensom.

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-20315996786217801122011-11-15T08:54:00.001-08:002011-11-15T09:00:41.581-08:00

Should an abusive spouse be barred by law from inheriting from the spouse he or she abused? What an interesting question! According to http://www.allaboutestates.ca/, this issue is being discussed among estate planning lawyers in Ontario. In particular, they are talking about cases in which the abused spouse left a will that disinherited the abuser. This contradicts the usual law of estates

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-64244358155752816922011-11-15T08:46:00.001-08:002011-11-15T08:49:31.241-08:00

Attached is a link to an excellent article found at http://www.pollexestateplanning.com/ that delves into the reasons that so many otherwise responsible parents fail to name a guardian for their young children in the event of the parents' death. I've met many couples over the years who tell me they haven't yet made wills because of the issues surrounding guardianship of the kids, so this article

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-11822400898532452522011-11-14T22:37:00.000-08:002011-11-14T22:37:58.753-08:00

Those of you who read my blog frequently know that many readers write in to ask what they can do about executors who are obstructive, hostile, greedy or otherwise make it impossible for the estate to be administered. In 2011, the BC Supreme Court removed an executor/trustee who, the court felt, was not acting in the best interests of the beneficiaries.I like this decision! Click the link below to

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-11072560562412554232011-11-12T15:32:00.001-08:002011-11-12T15:46:23.839-08:00

We all want to know what effect, if any, an inheritance will have on our tax situation. The following is a question received on my blog but it's also one that I'm asked a lot in seminars. I thought I'd share it with you. Here is the question: If a person inherit a revenue property that was originally purchased many years ago for 100k and is now worth 300k when the beneficiary (that person that

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-88944767226212504292011-11-10T13:31:00.001-08:002011-11-10T13:34:49.569-08:00

Most people think of an inheritance as something they may receive from their parents after they have passed away. Giving some or all of an inheritance to a child while the parent is still alive has always been, theoretically at least, an option. Now that option is becoming more popular but it still needs to be looked at carefully before a parent goes ahead with it. Elaine Blades, who blogs at

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-21840593296120748832011-11-10T10:20:00.001-08:002011-11-10T10:31:17.718-08:00

I saw this story a day or two ago, and haven't been able to stop thinking about it. I deal with seniors every day. My business is helping them set up their legal affairs so that when they pass away or lose mental capacity, someone is left in charge and things flow as smoothly as possible. One thing - one very disturbing thing - that I know is true is that family members and strangers alike find

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-51568492830689534092011-11-10T09:45:00.001-08:002011-11-10T09:56:26.299-08:00

Tomorrow, November 11, is Remembrance Day, when we take the time to remember and honour the men and women of Canada who fought on our behalf, and particularly those who did not come home. Above is a photo of the Y Ravine Cemetery, where the soldiers killed at the battle of Beaumont-Hamel during World War I are buried. My great uncle Harry, 19 years old when he died, is among them. Below

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-11742669166266386352011-11-10T09:17:00.001-08:002011-11-10T09:19:15.556-08:00

My friends over at Western Business Brokers are participating in what promises to be an excellent workshop for business owners. And it's even free! They sent me the following notice: How to Exit Your Business When & How You Want To - Free Workshop If you or someone you know has a controlling interest in a business generating more than $5 million dollars in annual sales please register for this

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-39348546062105721912011-11-09T09:23:00.000-08:002011-11-09T09:23:16.552-08:00

Think you can handle being an executor? If so, you may be in the minority. BMO has released an interesting poll that shows that most people underestimate just how tough it is to be an executor. Click here to read an article from the Financial Post about the poll and find out what others just like you think about their stint as an executor.

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-827450236481288742011-11-06T14:57:00.000-08:002011-11-06T14:57:52.503-08:00

We've all seen those newspaper articles about celebrity estates gone wrong, and we all know of someone in our own lives who is dealing with a nightmare estate. In the majority of these cases, there was either no will made by the deceased, or there was an insufficient will. By that I mean a will that simply left too much opento interpretation or failed to address important issues, or simply

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-59382022080377916622011-11-05T21:41:00.000-07:002011-11-05T21:41:50.380-07:00

According to the National Post, the concept of retirement is changing dramatically, egged on by the debt problems faced by governments funding pension programs. Click here to read the story.  The attached photo is by Chloe Cushman for National Post.

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-54544201542185821912011-11-04T10:45:00.000-07:002011-11-04T10:45:23.544-07:00

According to http://www.canadianfinanceblog.com/, not everyone needs life insurance. Do you know whether you are among those who need it, or those who do not? Click here to read this article by Nelson Smith. I agree with Mr. Smith's comments but would like to add that you likely will hear life insurance mentioned during your estate planning process. Life insurance proceeds are used to pay

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-24633788606553683532011-11-03T11:18:00.000-07:002011-11-03T11:18:03.560-07:00

The rights and duties of an executor continue to be a mystery to most people. I'm still learning new things about estates after 25 years on the job, so I know how tough it is to fully understand what you are supposed to be doing or not doing. The following is a question received here on my blog that I believe will interest a number of readers, as so many of you are executors yourselves: Can

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-21702327886603260702011-11-03T10:26:00.000-07:002011-11-03T10:26:50.791-07:00

I always like finding articles that can talk about tax in plain language. The attached is one of those, and author Tim Cestnick does a great job explaining how owners of small businesses can get tax breaks both in their lifetimes and at the time of their deaths. Click here to read the article from the Globe and Mail.

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-12772282333189755052011-11-02T20:56:00.000-07:002011-11-02T20:56:16.828-07:00

Everyone is interested in keeping probate fees low, though a dismaying number of people take steps on their own without knowing whether it's really going to work. Talking to a professional planner is worth it. For example, check out this article from http://www.capitalmagazine.ca/ that gives two really good ideas for controlling probate fees. Click here to read it.

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-64215325384198003752011-10-31T12:21:00.000-07:002011-10-31T12:21:45.100-07:00

I've received the following news bulletin from National Initiative for Care of the Elderly. Looks like a fantastic seminar. AGING, CULTURE AND THE BRAIN - lunchtime seminar at the ILCA the University of Toronto's Institute for Life Course and Aging is pleased to present AGING, CULTURE AND THE BRAIN Mark Lachmann, MD, MHSc (bioethics), FCFP, FRCP(C) Fellow in Geriatric Psychiatry, University of

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-20065721401755139842011-10-30T23:22:00.000-07:002011-10-30T23:23:02.104-07:00

Another reader has asked me a great question that should interest many of you. This particular situation arises more often than you might think. Here is the question: I'm 30 years old and my father passed away when I was 13. My parents were married during this time. When my dad passed the house went to her and we have resided there since. Recently my mom was notified that her mortgage was paid

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-87809648807149554702011-10-30T16:28:00.000-07:002011-10-30T16:28:00.278-07:00

It's Halloween weekend, so here's a treat for you: the most amazing, creative and surprising pumpkin carvings I've ever seen! Click on the link below. The attached photo is my favourite from the site. http://villafanestudios.com/

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-73344076867142194422011-10-28T10:39:00.000-07:002011-10-28T10:39:34.505-07:00

Clients often ask me whether estate-planning document made in one province can be used in another. To hear what our friends over at http://www.allaboutestates.ca/ have to say about that, click here to read their blog post.

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-4522743224982900592011-10-26T12:13:00.000-07:002011-10-26T12:13:12.603-07:00

Have you ever thought about the effect adoption of your siblings or parents would have on your estate plan? Not many people have considered it. And what if your relative was adopted as an adult and not as a child? This article from http://www.verdict.justia.com/ tells the story of what happened when a woman from Virginia died without a will, but her closest living relative had been adopted out of

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-80399555111874979132011-10-24T09:50:00.000-07:002011-10-24T09:50:10.781-07:00

This article from http://www.canadiancapital.ca/ talks about the estate of Paul Penna, in which millions of dollars went missing in the hands of a group of executors. Click here to read the article. While I agree with the article's conclusion that the choice of executor is crucial, I don't agree with all of the opinions and recommedations given by the people quoted in the article. In any event,

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-90716682128683180862011-10-23T22:07:00.000-07:002011-10-23T22:07:03.181-07:00

BC has a law called the Wills Variation Act which allows a person to contest a will if he or she believes the will distributes an estate unfairly. This article from http://www.disinherited.com/ talks about the Hall Estate (2011 BCCA 354). A son who had intentionally distanced himself from his mother contested the will when he found that his mother had not left him anything. Should he win? Read

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-42934149531948548882011-10-23T20:41:00.000-07:002011-10-23T20:41:32.615-07:00

A reader has sent me an interesting question that I know will be of interest to many of you. Here's the question: When a husband and wife do their wills, they each have a separate will. My understanding is that either party could go and do a new will without the other spouse knowing, i.e. leaving things to other parties when the spouse thought these things/money were coming to them. This seems

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-60431766408123582652011-10-21T12:07:00.000-07:002011-10-21T12:07:08.338-07:00

This article from http://www.stillvital.com/ gives a comprehensive list of what you will need should a senior in your life be required to be admitted to the hospital. I notice that a health care directive is the first item on the list. This is why these documents need to be done early while the senior is still mentally healthy. Click here to read the full list.

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-91156991236185080232011-10-19T14:06:00.000-07:002011-10-19T14:06:52.116-07:00

Are you a business owner wondering how and when to sell your business? Are you getting the right information and advice? Are you sure that you've set your price properly? I've talked to dozens of business owners who are trying to gather information and sell their businesses on their own, simply because they don't know where else to turn. The following article is a good starting place. It was

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-10318567366321722952011-10-18T13:27:00.000-07:002011-10-18T13:27:04.458-07:00

Tomorrow night (October 19) I'm co-presenting a seminar to the clients of Scotia McLeod. If you are one of these clients, or would like to talk to someone about becoming one, this seminar might be of interest to you. I'll be presenting on the basics of estate planning, with emphasis on the changes to Alberta's Wills and Succession Act, which comes into effect on January 1, 2012. Our focus will

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-67491624221168950212011-10-17T08:43:00.000-07:002011-10-17T08:43:13.416-07:00

Now here is something we don't see much written about - what it's like to be married to someone who runs their own business. If you think your spouse isn't involved in your business because he or she isn't a shareholder, click here read this story from the Globe and Mail.

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-81970235001043924712011-10-14T11:35:00.000-07:002011-10-14T11:35:38.631-07:00

This article from Rev. Dale Susan Edmonds at http://www.stillvital.com/ is packed with good ideas for talking to your aging parents about their planning, even when the parents tell you they've got "everything taken care of". Click here to read the article. The attached photo of Rev. Edmonds is also from that site.

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-13238454149892592492011-10-14T11:21:00.000-07:002011-10-14T11:21:30.571-07:00

Thanks to all who voted in my recent poll about what you'd like to see in a webinar. The most popular topic (45% of votes) was "Taxation of an average estate", so I'm starting there. I've begun developing a course that will be downloadable from this blog at no cost to you, the readers. It will be an interactive program that will take an hour or two to complete and will inform you much more fully

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-21139557640211393092011-10-12T14:06:00.000-07:002011-10-12T14:06:34.736-07:00

I really enjoyed this article from Carolyn Rosenblatt in http://www.forbes.com/, because it's such a good mix of practical advice and sensitivity to how families work (or don't work). I recommend this article to anyone who is wondering how they are going to deal with an aging parent's financial future. Click here to read it.

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-16892692290103463682011-10-12T13:43:00.000-07:002011-10-12T13:43:10.780-07:00

Life insurance is often mentioned during the estate planning process because it can be used in so many ways. The article from http://www.money.ca.msn.com/ talks about ways in which life insurance can be used for estate preservation as well as for wealth creation. Getting the most out of life insurance doesn't always mean buying a new policy; it could well be that a change of beneficiary might

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-77083577128968454162011-10-12T13:08:00.000-07:002011-10-12T13:08:38.889-07:00

This article from http://www.capitalmagazine.ca/ talks about how wealth affects subsequent generations, and how a family office can help deal with the issues and challenges. This is by far the best article I've read about using a family office. Click here to read the story.

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-56716187742384206282011-10-12T08:56:00.000-07:002011-10-12T08:56:45.238-07:00

  Reminder - Fall National Financial Literacy Workshops for Women 55+ Older Women and Financial Literacy: Groundbreaking National Project Targets Low Income Older Women and Immigrants: Combined Research, Financial Tools and Workshops Designed to Empower Older Women The National Initiative for the Care of the Elderly (NICE), at the Institute for Life Course and Aging, University of Toronto, has

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-60643489201141999382011-10-11T22:40:00.000-07:002011-10-11T22:40:30.592-07:00

Seminar season is in full swing for me, making me doubly busy but also letting me interact with even more people than I usually do. I always encourage questions from my audiences, and always get plenty of them. I notice than many listeners are interested in the mechanics of  an estate - how things work, who does what, how long things take, etc. At one recent seminar, there were questions about

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-34610133777082566722011-10-09T15:35:00.000-07:002011-10-09T15:35:40.582-07:00

As our population ages, more and more people are relying on Enduring (aka Durable, Continuing) Powers of Attorney. This happens because these days we are all living much longer, but there is no guarantee that we will live out those years with full mental and physical faculties intact. The Power of Attorney document is one that we sign while mentally healthy to allow for someone else to make

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-18986954305129461832011-10-07T14:10:00.000-07:002011-10-07T14:10:27.553-07:00

While this article from the Financial Post isn't just about estate planning, it certainly touches on it. Marriage contracts,  or pre-nuptial agreements as they are more widely known, are becoming more common, particularly for second marriages. Click here to read the article.

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-50075517597760900832011-10-05T15:20:00.000-07:002011-10-05T15:20:25.475-07:00

How do common law relationships compare to legally married relationships when it comes to inheriting under the estate of a deceased partner? Married people still have an advantage but the law is slowly changing to boost the rights of common laws, according to this excellent article from http://www.canadianlawyermag.com/. Click here to read the article.

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-23945120237172789322011-10-05T15:10:00.000-07:002011-10-05T15:10:41.938-07:00

This post from our friends over at http://www.allaboutestates.ca/ talks about equalizing an estate among beneficiaries (usually the deceased's children) by bringing money into "hotchpot". Funny name, but an important legal concept if you've lent money to one or more of your kids. Click here to read the post.

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-8932534134778091432011-10-03T10:49:00.000-07:002011-10-03T10:49:16.754-07:00

This is just a reminder to those who are planning to come out to my Wills Week seminar this week. It is going ahead tomorrow - Tuesday, October 4. If you want to learn more about Wills, Powers of Attorney, Personal directives, and the changes coming to Alberta wills law, now is your chance! The program starts at 6:30, but you should plan on being early. Although this is a relatively large venue

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-16578660541336103162011-10-03T10:37:00.000-07:002011-10-03T10:37:11.929-07:00

The attached photo is of Kelly's Saloon in Fort Edmonton Park. On Friday I presented a seminar there to the staff of the head office of Alberta Court Services (about 50 people). I had a great time, met some really nice people and was even invited to stay for a delicious lunch. This was a unique and wonderful place to hold a meeting, and thanks to ACS for inviting me!

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-23191690284233871572011-09-29T13:44:00.000-07:002011-09-29T13:44:22.299-07:00

This article from http://www.capitalmagazine.ca/ talks about how to avoid certain estate taxes by using various kinds of trusts. Trusts aren't something most people can set up on their own, as there are plenty of rules that apply to them, but they are still very popular and very flexible. Click here to read the article. Maybe you'll find it worthwhile to talk to your own estate-planning lawyer or

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-30077267506545232572011-09-29T12:54:00.000-07:002011-09-29T12:54:58.234-07:00

Growing up in a family with several siblings, I remember dinner time with everyone gathered around the table as an occasion for teasing, "hi-jinx" and laughing at and with each other (and for getting into trouble when my Dad caught us throwing peas at each other, but that's a story for another day). According to this new study, continuing the tradition of having a good laugh on a regular basis

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-82272460506466826462011-09-28T16:25:00.000-07:002011-09-28T16:25:52.584-07:00

Parents of minor children should name a guardian for the kids who would step in to look after the children if both parents passed away. They should also make arrangements in the will to look after the children's inheritance.  But what about the family home? Some parents believe that to minimize the amount of trauma and upset the kids will experience should both parents die, the children

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-37672957499917679502011-09-25T18:11:00.000-07:002011-09-25T18:11:54.812-07:00

The following article is a report about a recent case from Ontario in which a client had assets both inside and outside of Canada, but didn't tell the lawyer in Canada that he had made a separate will for the foreign assets. This lack of communication led to enormous trouble after the fellow died. The executor applied to the court for help, saying that the Canadian will included an error. The

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-16870573524397470982011-09-24T15:03:00.000-07:002011-09-24T15:03:10.827-07:00

Are you one of the many thousand Canadians who are of American origin? If so, you may be affected by the current IRS program to crack down on Americans who have not been filing tax returns or reporting their bank accounts. Many of you may not even realize the program applies to you. This story from the Financial Post gives quite a bit of detail about what's happening and who is affected. Click

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-14322437482933644312011-09-23T14:35:00.000-07:002011-09-23T14:35:37.686-07:00

I keep spreading the word! I had a lovely lunch today with Robin Carson, the editor of News & Views, a glossy magazine for retired teachers. I've agreed to write a regular column for the magazine, which is published quarterly. My first column will appear in the winter issue. I'll be writing about anything and everything to do with seniors, from estate planning to prevention of financial abuse

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-90048713197457209422011-09-22T15:12:00.000-07:002011-09-22T15:12:38.127-07:00

We've talked about the pros and cons of putting parents' assets in joint names with the children a number of times on this blog (and we will again). This new blog post from http://www.allaboutestates.ca/ discusses the fact that when property is put into joint names, the tax imposed on a beneficiary in the long run can actually be more than the amount saved on probate fees. Click here to read the

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-10507084819334171922011-09-22T12:48:00.000-07:002011-09-22T12:48:29.664-07:00

The business owners out there who are considering selling their business one day will find the attached article interesting and useful. It's from http://www.capitalmagazine.ca/ and contains several good ideas for making sure that you are able to get the best possible price for your business. Click here to read the article. The attached photo is also from http://www.capitalmagazine.ca/.

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-84702966592410784792011-09-22T12:25:00.000-07:002011-09-22T12:25:38.663-07:00

A will is a will, right? Most of us think we'd know a will if we saw one, but in fact there are several types of wills out there. Whether you're an executor trying to deal with an estate or you're trying to figure out what kind of will you need yourself, the array of possible wills can be confusing. I've often heard and seen the names of the various types of documents being misused, even by

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-7314829855699956092011-09-21T15:06:00.000-07:002011-09-21T15:06:24.354-07:00

Here are some good tips and information for business owners who are in the process of transferring a business to new owners. Whether the new owners are members of the family or complete strangers, this information will help keep employees and others as stress-free as possible. Click on the link below to read the article.Avoiding workplace conflict in ownership transition

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-42782017947133519552011-09-20T16:51:00.000-07:002011-09-20T16:51:13.841-07:00

Some have called it estate planning for those who don't plan to die. What is cryonics anyway? And if you choose it, how would your family pay for it? Click here to read this entertaining article from the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys.

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-11240803457244602222011-09-19T23:20:00.000-07:002011-09-19T23:20:11.016-07:00

The article below is from Kris Miller, who blogs about retirement planning and money management. The article is practical and readable - two things I value highly in articles about estate planning! I would like to add that the Step 3 talked about in the article is very much an American idea, as they have a tax system much different than ours. Everything else in the article is applicable to us in

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436024129575354145.post-49600236763931341162011-09-19T11:43:00.000-07:002011-09-19T11:43:12.837-07:00

This new article from the Wall Street Journal should be essential reading for anyone out there who has  been appointed as an executor under a relative's will or is considering naming a relative as his or her executor. One thing I noticed in this article that I haven't seen anywhere else is the comment that "executorships gone bad are on the rise". I believe this to be the case, based on my own

Lynne Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09790353197833765108noreply@blogger.com2