CLE Online

Day 1: Monday, May 28

Welcome and Introduction

James D. Baird — Boughton Law Corporation, Vancouver

Overview of Estate Planning

• what is an estate plan?
• what are the goals of estate planning?
• what are the components of a typical estate plan?
• introduction of flow chart

James D. Baird — Boughton Law Corporation, Vancouver

The Interview Gone Wrong: Role Play

Networking Break

The First Appointment

• the  role of the lawyer
• the client interview
• difficult and/or challenging clients
• post interview steps
• file management

A. John Lakes — Lakes, Whyte LLP, North Vancouver

Tax Considerations in Estate Planning

• basic tax concepts
• lifetime sales or gifts
• tax consequences upon death
• deemed disposition
• RRSPs/RRIFs
• planning strategies to minimize tax
  • spousal rollover
  • testamentary trusts

Kim A. Karras — Brawn Karras & Sanderson, Surrey

Networking Lunch

The Will

• property disposable by a will
• preparing your standard will
• drafting considerations
• common drafting errors
• technical requirements for formal execution
• filing a wills notice
• reporting to client

Kirsten H. Jenkins — Aydin Bird Business Lawyers, Vancouver
Emma A. McArthur — Bull, Housser & Tupper LLP, Vancouver

Networking Break

The Basics of Probate and Estate Administration

A. Getting the Grant

• preparing your standard probate application
• special grants
• keeping the registry happy

James D. Baird — Boughton Law Corporation, Vancouver

B. How to Administer an Estate: From Collecting the Assets to Passing the Accounts

• advising the personal representative
• getting discharged
• getting the clearance certificate

R.C. (Tino) Di Bella — Jawl & Bundon, Victoria

Day 2: Tuesday, May 29

Opening Remarks

James D. Baird — Boughton Law Corporation, Vancouver

The Interview Gone Right: Role Play

Solicitors' Negligence, Avoiding Claims, and Managing Client Expectations

• possible problems and pitfalls
• common claims made to the Lawyers Insurance Fund
• the initial appointment
• the engagement letter
• drafting and executing the will
• reporting and follow up
• following a defensive practice

Joel M. Altman — Hammerberg Altman Beaton & Maglio LLP, Vancouver
Roger D. Lee — Davis LLP, Vancouver

Networking Break

The Use of Joint Tenancies, Beneficiary Designations, and Trusts in Estate Planning

A. Joint Tenancies

• joint tenancies to avoid probate fees
• true jointures vs. “false” joint tenancies and other estate issues and consequences
• planning opportunities and pitfalls

B. Beneficiary Designations

• insurance
• RRSPs/RRIFs
• RESPs
• TFSAs

C. Trusts

• essential components of a trust
• the components of a well drafted trust
• how to choose the right trust: inter vivos or testamentary
• trusts for minors and disabled beneficiaries

Fiona Hunter — Horne Coupar, Victoria
Valorie Pawson — Valorie Pawson Law Corporation, West Vancouver
Sadie Wetzel — Davis LLP, Vancouver

Lunch (on your own)

Wills Variation Act Considerations

A. Wills Variation Act

• what is it? who may apply?
• time limits
• to what assets does the Wills Variation Act apply?
• what is adequate, just, and reasonable?
• rational and valid reasons
• appeals

B. Review of the Litigation Cases

• common problems
• how to avoid litigation

C. Estate Planning and the Wills Variation Act

• disinheriting children
• disinheriting a spouse
• blended families
• Wills Variation Act avoidance
• fraudulent conveyances
• ethical issues

A. John Lakes — Lakes, Whyte LLP, North Vancouver
Helen H. Low — Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP, Vancouver 
Sadie Wetzel — Davis LLP, Vancouver

Networking Break

Lifetime Planning

• planning for incapacity with respect to financial affairs
• planning for incapacity with respect to health care
• dealing with incapacity where there is no plan
• powers of attorney (pre and post September 1, 2011)

R.C. (Tino) Di Bella — Jawl & Bundon, Victoria

Questions, Comments, and Discussion