Trusts

This article was first published in STEP Insider. Historically, individuals have taken comfort in the knowledge that their last will and testament is a statement of their final wishes for the disposition of their accumulated wealth. However, in the face of increasing wills litigation and fees payable in connection with obtaining probate, advisers are now seeking planning alternatives to traditional wills. One such alternative is the alter ego trust, a….

Guest written by Giancarlo Mignardi, Student-at-Law at Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP Last week, I provided an overview of secret and semi-secret trusts, as well as the legal framework that allows for their existence. Today, I will discuss some of the practical uses of such trusts in modern estate-planning, as well as some of the difficulties that arise in proving these trusts. As will be noted, while these unique arrangements can….

Guest written by Giancarlo Mignardi, Student-at-Law at Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP When we think about testamentary gifts, we typically think of outright gifts, and testamentary trusts, both of which are typically set out in the terms of a Will. However, there is another, lesser-known option: the secret (and semi-secret) trust. This week and next, I’ll explore the use of secret and semi-secret trusts––what they are, how they have been historically….