Cross-Border Estate Planning

Handwritten Wills Discovered More than a Year After Aretha Franklin’s Death

The death of Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul, rocked the music world last year. As the world mourned the loss of this legendary singer, a legal storm brewed when it initially seemed that she had not left a will or trust delineating what was to happen to her more than $80 million fortune. In the months following her passing it seemed as though the artist’s four sons would be locked in a protracted and… Read More

Cross-Border Estate Planning

Foreign Powers of Attorney & Cross-Border Estate Planning

If you travel back and forth between Canada and the United States, or have any cross-border property, you should ensure that your estate planning and other documents will be valid in both countries to any extent necessary. You may also want to consider whether any powers of attorney in your home province or state may be impacted, and speak to a cross-border lawyer for specialized advice. Powers of attorney and jurisdiction A power of… Read More

Cross-Border Estate Planning

The Death Tax Repeal Act and Cross-Border Estate Planning

For Canadians with assets in the United States, or whose family includes dual US-Canadian citizens or US permanent residents, the repeal of the so-called “death tax” could help simplify your estate planning. Unlike Canada, the United States has taxed an estate based on the fair market value of a decedent’s assets. Much of the support for this bill comes from farm owners and family businesses that claim to suffer unfairly under the current regime. The Death… Read More