CLE Online

Welcome and Introduction

Josephine M. Nadel — Owen Bird Law Corporation, Vancouver

Strategic Advising for the Family Enterprise

• strengths and challenges of the family enterprise
• the three-circle model: taking a systems approach
• understanding family dynamics of family firms
• being a strategic advisor to family enterprise clients

Wendy Sage-Hayward — Concentrix Solutions Inc., Vancouver 

Governance

• governance structures for the family enterprise and its component systems (family, business, owners)
• forms of communication for each system
• examining family councils, shareholder forums, advisory boards, and other governance mechanisms
• establishing consensus and common vision, mission, and values

Josephine M. Nadel — Owen Bird Law Corporation, Vancouver

Networking Break

Legislative Changes and Update Highlights

• Wills, Estates and Succession Act
• Adult Guardianship and Planning Statutes Amendment Act

Tamara G. Wong — Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, Vancouver

Estate Planning Tools

• wills
• trusts—alter ego/joint partner trusts, family trusts, voting trusts
• beneficiary designations
• powers of attorney/alternate directors
• representation agreements
• letter of wishes
• shareholder agreements
• marriage agreements

Sally Dennis — Farris, Vaughan, Wills & Murphy LLP, Vancouver

Networking Lunch (provided)

Case Update and Estate Litigation Highlights

• wills, estates, and succession
• Wills Variation Act
• Fraudulent Conveyance Act
• incapacity

Duncan J. Manson — Owen Bird Law Corporation, Vancouver

Strategic Ownership Options: Business Ownership and Succession

• demographic realities
• typical entrepreneur
• selling or retaining the enterprise
• retaining family ownership with non-family management
• sale to a family member
• management buy-out
• sale to a third party

Pirooz Pourdad — PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP, Vancouver

Networking Break

Income Tax Considerations with Family Succession Plans

• freezing strategies to minimize taxation
• corporate attribution risks and implications
• tax-efficient ownership structure for family enterprises
• family trusts and 21st anniversary planning
• post-mortem planning

David R. Baxter — Thorsteinssons LLP, Vancouver

Concluding Remarks

Josephine M. Nadel — Owen Bird Law Corporation, Vancouver