http://bcheritagelaw.net/heritagelawblog News, reflections and commentary on wills, estate, family and real estate law. Mon, 30 Apr 2007 21:24:14 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en http://bcheritagelaw.net/heritagelawblog/2007/04/30/collaborative-law/ Open Letter from Trevor Todd to the Attorney General Regarding Proposed Changes to the Wills Variation Act In the summer of 2006 the British Columbia Law Institute delivered to the Attorney General a sweeping report entitled Wills, Estates and Succession: A Modern Legal Framework. Many of that report's recommendations involve well-considered ... http://bcheritagelaw.net/heritagelawblog/2007/02/28/dont-change-the-wills-variation-act/ Heritage Law is sponsoring the next West Vancouver Chamber of Commerce breakfast event. When: 7:30 to 9:00 am Wednesday, March 14th, 2007 Where: Hollyburn Country Club, 950 Crosscreek Rd, West Vancouver BC Cost: Members $25.00 / Non-Members $35.00 (GST Included) Pre-paid registration is required Francesco Aquilini, Managing Director, Aquilini ... http://bcheritagelaw.net/heritagelawblog/2007/02/28/francesco-aquilini-speaker-at-wvcc-breakfast-event/ Testamentary trusts can provide significant tax benefits because of preferential treatment such trusts receive under the Income Tax Act. Placing assets in trust can also provide significant non-tax estate planning benefits. What is a Testamentary Trust? A testamentary trust is simply any trust that arises on death through a will. Like all ... http://bcheritagelaw.net/heritagelawblog/2007/02/15/testamentary-trusts/ Globe and Mail, Page F09, 27-Jan-2007 Trust and betrayal in the golden years By Kyle G. Brown Concerned about her mother's mental health, Sarah took decisive action. She helped 82-year-old Celia move to a retirement community, she set up accounts for her at a local health-food store and an upscale clothing boutique. She ... http://bcheritagelaw.net/heritagelawblog/2007/01/30/trust-and-betrayal-in-the-golden-years/ I attended the Canadian Conference on Elder Law put on the by Canadian Centre for Elder Law Studies this weekend and was impressed with the professionalism and commitment of the many people working in the areas of elder law and aging. Jane Meadus, Institutional Advocate at the Advocacy Centre for ... http://bcheritagelaw.net/heritagelawblog/2006/10/15/canadian-conference-on-elder-law/ The general rule for the reduction of the GST from 7 per cent to 6 per cent as it applies to taxable sales of real property is as follows: - if ownership or possession of the real property is transferred before July 1, 2006, 7 per cent GST applies; and - if ... http://bcheritagelaw.net/heritagelawblog/2006/07/05/imp-info-on-july-1-gst-rate-reduction-for-sales-of-new-houses/ Discretionary trusts are frequently utilized in estate planning to avoid tax, to defer the gift of assets to beneficiaries and to protect the assets from claims of third parties, including current or future spouses of a beneficiary. To advance a claim under the Family Relations Act of BC (the “Act”), a ... http://bcheritagelaw.net/heritagelawblog/2006/05/09/use-of-trusts-in-estate-planning-family-law-considerations/