Medicine Hat and area have many family businesses, especially in the agricultural industry. Family businesses present unique challenges when it comes to creating a plan to transfer the family business to the next generation. Where a significant amount of value […]
Private family businesses have played a major role in Medicine Hat’s economy. Family businesses have used corporations to help with both business and personal estate planning. Corporations provide a useful structure for parents transferring the family business to an interested […]
Parents never stop parenting. That phrase has been around for a long time and can usually be heard when a group of parents get together. The phrase, however, seems more applicable today due to the economic realities many Medicine Hat […]
Most of us are aware of Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs) and Registered Retirement Income Funds (RRIFs) as they are highly promoted by our financial institutions. There is a lesser known registered plan which can be of great assitance in […]
Grandparents in Medicine Hat annually face the burning question: what do we give to our grandchildren at Christmas or on their birthday? Although not soft and cuddly like sleepers or a stuffed animal, and it will take time it before […]
This is a continuation of my July column in the Medicine Hat News with my Top 10 estate planning tips. If you missed Tips 1-5, you can find them here. 6. Specific Gifts of Cash or Property to Friends or […]
I have been helping families in Medicine Hat and area with their estate plans for more than 35 years. During this time I have observed all estate plans have common goals that are important to all clients, no matter the […]
It isn’t much fun to sit down and make your estate plan because it means you have to think about your own death and the possibility you might become mentally incapacitated before you die. Over the years, I have heard […]
Personal Directive I have written about the importance of a Personal Directive (PD) forming part of your estate plan in previous columns. A PD allows you to: Choose a person to act as your Health Care Agent (Agent); Give instructions […]
You can’t talk about business in Canada without talking about family businesses. The University of Alberta’s Family Business Institute notes family businesses generate about 60% of Canada’s GDP and create 20% of all new jobs in Canada. Clearly, family businesses […]