Gifting property to the next generation is an estate strategy at its simplest form. For farming families, farm succession planning can often be complex considering the difficulties associated with “equalizing” a farmer’s estate between their children in circumstances where a child is actively involved in the farming business while the…
This blog post was written by: Rebecca Tong, Senior Manager, Scotiatrust Tax Services, Vancouver Ever thought about gifting a property to your children? As most parents would think – yes why not and what is the big deal? I recently had this very discussion with my own aging parents, and…
Over the last couple decades, many Canadians have invested in real estate, more specifically, in rental properties. As a result, their real estate holdings will constitute a substantial part of their estate therefore, their estate plan should consider how best to minimize capital gains on death and preserve their real…
Are you planning to leave real estate to a loved one under your Will? Do you want that property to be transferred free of debt or other claims? If you’re making a specific gift of your interest in freehold or leasehold property that is subject to a mortgage, as…
Canadians are familiar with the concept of joint ownership with right of survivorship. It is the prevalent form of ownership between spouses. Therefore, it is not uncommon for Canadians to own U.S. real property or other U.S. property, jointly, especially between spouses. Many are of the view that it will…
If you have clients with assets outside Canada, they likely look to you for guidance to support drafting of testamentary documents. In a previous article we explored the considerations that should be kept in mind when assets are owned outside of Quebec, within Canada – given the civil law and…
Today’s blog post has been written by Karen La Caprara, Counsel, at Fasken LLP. When two abutting parcels of land or properties are owned by the same owner or owners, title to the properties automatically merges, unless an exception to this general principle applies.[i] Once title to the abutting…
Today’s blog was written by Jessica Butler, Law Clerk at Fasken LLP. Many Canadians hold a large share of their wealth in personally-owned real estate and consider it to be a critical part of their wealth-building strategy. Donald Sutherland, the well known Canadian actor who passed away in June of…
Today’s blog was written by Kelsey Buchmayer, associate with the Ottawa office of Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP There are several benefits to searching title for your client’s real property when initiating their estate planning. For instance, you can confirm title is held as your client understands it to be and…
Today’s blog was written by Douglas Buchmayer, partner with the Ottawa office of Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP A common issue facing estate planning practitioners in Eastern Ontario is the Ontario resident client owning Quebec assets, often the family cottage, which need to be dealt with in a Will. Where a…