Category: Estates

Key Life Events Bring Estate Planning Needs into Focus

In its Executive Summary, the Canadian Task Force on Literacy states, “…financial literacy is an essential skill acquired through lifelong learning…” EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS Canadians and Their Money Building a brighter financial future Part of that requires everyone to have some estate literacy. This creates those…
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Do You Know Why Clients Do Not Make Wills?

The answer may be no one has sold them one. It’s a difficult sales job. Perhaps estate advisors need to do a better job marketing and educating clients about wills? The starting point may be to give people more persuasive and easy-to-understand information. When it comes to…
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Do You Need to Become an Estate Therapist?

Too many clients have the wrong approach to estate planning. They think of it as preparing for death and dying – two terrifying taboos. As I’ll explain, this is not the approach here, at EstateTherapy.com. I want you to see estate planning in a new light. Estate…
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Are You Estate Illiterate?

Have you heard of the Task force on Financial Literacy? (www.financialliteracyincanada.com) It describes the need for lifelong learning when it comes to Canadians and their money. But what does it say about what happens to your money and family when you are gone? The Task Force released…
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Resolving Estate Disputes with Settlement Conferences

You should speak to your lawyer about alternatives to resolve estate disputes without going to trial. This includes mediation using a third party mediator. If you have tried mediation and it was unsuccessful, consider a settlement conference. You’ll get real benefit from such a conference by following…
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Beyond Will and Estate Planning Essentials

I am chairing, with Oakville lawyer, Joanna J. Ringrose (www.estateslawyer.ca), an Ontario Bar Association half-day programme featuring intermediate and advanced will and estate planning topics. This is the topic I will be speaking on: 5 Success Strategies for Your Estate Planning Practice How to increase your profitability…
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Do Clients Need EstateTherapy™?

Seminars, workshops or webinars offer excellent ways for you to emotionally connect with your audience. That’s my thinking based on re-reading an article by George Hartman in the Investment Executive (November 2010). Hartman was writing about how seminars are making a comeback. He was reviewing the 3rd…
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Common-law Spouses – Unjustly Enriched?

Let me describe what the Kerr v Baranow case means for common-law spouses. Common-law spouses do not get property rights unless they make a claim, or are provided for adequately in an estate plan. Common-law spouses must sue their partners’ estate and make a claim for unjust…
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Why Are Common-law Spouses Dangerous?

Canada’s Supreme Court has issued a warning for estate advisors. You need to become familiar with the concept of joint family venture. In February 2011 in the Kerr v. Baranow case, the Supreme Court clarified claims that can be made by common-law spouses. The decision affects you…
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Does Your Will Provide for Your Common-law Spouse?

Did your will give any property or support to your common-law spouse? You can expect lawyers to challenge your estate plan if that amount is inadequate. That’s the point I made during a recent call-in program on Wayne Baxter’s Right On the Money show for Zoomer radio,…
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“I want to thank Ed and his firm for getting me through a very difficult time. He was recommended to me by another lawyer and I am grateful for that recommendation. Ed kept me grounded, listened to me, counseled me and supported me. I do so appreciate that. And he is worth every penny. Thank you!” - Claudia R, Toronto

“Thank you for your professional advice and lawyering while I was planning my will, all accompanied with your patience and a sense of humour.” - Valerie G, Toronto

“Ed is a "straight shooter" who tells it like it is and helps you make the best possible decisions in your circumstances. I've personally seen the "magic" he can work in an estate and recommend him without reservation to anyone who wants an iron clad will or estate advice and management that saves money, frayed nerves and friendships.” - Jim R, Burlington

I have used Edward Olkovich for my own Will and I was the executor of my Brother-in-law’s will. My brother-in-law had a terminal illness and Edward had us devise his Will to minimize taxes and problems. Ed is located locally @ Jane and Bloor. He was very knowledgeable, friendly and thorough and has written many books on the subject. - Belinda M, Toronto

Ed is a thorough, responsive estates lawyer who I would recommend to anyone when needing a will or dealing with estate issues. - Eva S, Toronto

Dear Ed and “Team Olkovich” “Thank you for your knowledge, expertise and hard work to make our executor duties (almost) stress-free. Will miss the laughs and stories you tell so well. All our appreciation always!” - Pat, Dave & John, Toronto

Dear Ed, Thank you for all your wisdom and kindness throughout the process of settling Ann’s Estate. - Cheryl, Toronto

“The easiest professional I had to deal with to settle my parents’ needs was Ed. I told him what we needed. He was gracious with his advice and help - without delaying matters.” - Iain N., Toronto

“Magic! The guy knows magic!” - Steve G., Toronto

“In the land of estate law, Ed is King.” - Cheryl W., Toronto

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