CLEBC - Courses On Demand

Basics of Wills & Estate Planning 2025

Course Date: November 4, 2025

Full Course Materials

Total: 11h 33min

Total Ethics: 2h 33min

Tuesday, November 4, 2025

Course Introduction and Land Acknowledgement (9:00 – 9:10)

Nadia Myerthall — Program Lawyer, CLEBC, Vancouver
Eric B. Clavier — Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP, Vancouver
Aubrie Girou — Alexander Holburn Beaudin + Lang LLP, Vancouver

Overview of Estate Planning (9:10 – 9:40)

what is an estate plan?
what are the goals of estate planning?
what are the components of a typical estate plan?
specific issues to be considered:
- foreign property
- multiple wills
- taxation
- blended families
- client notes, draft, and letters
- First Nations wills
remote witnessing

Aubrie Girou — Alexander Holburn Beaudin + Lang LLP, Vancouver

Opening and Maintaining an Estate Planning File (9:40 – 10:30)

the role of the lawyer
preliminary information gathering
the client interview
difficult and/or challenging clients
assessing capacity and undue influence
post-interview steps

Isabel L. Romeral — Farris LLP, Vancouver

BREAK (10:30 – 10:45)

Essential Tax Considerations for Will and Estate Planners (10:45 – 11:40)

fundamental tax concepts
- types of income
- taxation of capital gains
tax consequences of death
registered plans on death (RRSPs, RRIFs, TFSAs, FHSAs)
inter vivos transfers and gifts
taxation of trusts
attribution rules
post-mortem planning strategies to minimize tax

Rebecca Cynader — Scion Law LLP, Vancouver

The Will (11:40 – 12:30)

property disposable by a will
preparing your standard will
drafting considerations
common drafting errors
technical requirements for formal execution
other planning tips and traps

Annie H. Chen — Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP, Vancouver

LUNCH (12:30 – 1:10)

Lessons from the Future (1:10 – 2:00)

preparing your standard probate application
probate fees
time factors
implications for the estate plan

Mike Beishuizen — Westcoast Wills and Estates, North Vancouver

Alternate Routes: Interim Authority, Non-standard Grant Submissions, and Disclosure of the Drafting Lawyer's File (2:00 – 3:00)

s. 58 and s. 59 WESA
interim authority
disclosure
- when a request is appropriate
- disclosure vs. court order
- how to make disclosure requests

Janis Ko — McLellan Herbert Locke LLP, Vancouver

BREAK (3:00 – 3:15)

Using Mediation in an Estates Claim (3:15 – 4:00)

being an effective advocate in mediation
communication, valuation, and taxation
skillful negotiation—informed, not haphazard or ritualistic
yes! mediation can settle that nightmare case
key ethical point

Tara R. Britnell, KC — Hamilton Duncan Law Corporation, Surrey

Wednesday, November 5, 2025

Welcome Back (9:00 – 9:10)

Nadia Myerthall — Program Lawyer, CLEBC, Vancouver
Eric B. Clavier — Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP, Vancouver
Aubrie Girou — Alexander Holburn Beaudin + Lang LLP, Vancouver

View from a Member of the Bench (9:10 – 9:40)

suggestions for an effective chambers application
pointers for trial preparation

Justice Matthew Kirchner — Supreme Court of BC, Vancouver

Professional Conduct Issues in Wills and Estate Planning (9:40 – 10:45)

common complaints about lawyers in wills and estate planning
ways to avoid complaints
complaint process and responding to the Law Society

Avoiding Claims: Common Pitfalls and Tips to Avoid Them

statistics of wills and estates claims
common claims
risk management tips
cyber fraud

Carolyn R. Anderson — Director, Intake & Early Resolution and Practice Standards, Law Society of BC, Vancouver
Amy A. Mortimore, KC — Clark Wilson LLP, Vancouver
Maryanne Prohl — Director, Risk Management, Lawyers Indemnity Fund, Law Society of BC, Vancouver

BREAK (10:45 – 11:00)

The Use of Joint Tenancies and Beneficiary Designations in Estate Planning (11:00 – 12:10)

A. Joint Tenancies

planning opportunities
possible problem and pitfalls
"true" joint tenancies vs. "false: joint tenancies
review of recent cases

J. Jeffrey Locke — McLellan Herbert Locke LLP, Vancouver

B. Beneficiary Designations

insurance (life insurance, trusts)
RRSPs/RRIFs
TFSAs
RESPs

Rutsu Shikano — Richards Buell Sutton LLP, Vancouver

LUNCH (12:10 – 12:50)

Planning for Life: Incapacity and Disability Planning (12:50 – 1:35)

planning for incapacity with respect to financial affairs
planning for incapacity with respect to health care
dealing with incapacity where there is no plan
power of attorney, representation agreement, advance directive, living will
trust planning for persons with disabilities

Catherine Bunio — Alexander Holburn Beaudin + Lang LLP, Vancouver

The Use of Trusts in Estate Planning (1:35 – 2:30)

how to choose the right trust: inter vivos or testamentary
constituting a trust
components of a well drafted trust
commonly used inter vivos trusts
- spouse trusts
- alter ego and joint partner trusts
commonly used testamentary trusts
- spouse trusts
- trusts for minors and young adults
- trusts for disabled beneficiaries
some practical challenges in settling trust property