Embedded Files
Published Articles
The articles listed here are maintained on my LinkedIn newsletter "Framing/Reframing" (use this link to subscribe to it).
All articles are available to be downloaded from my LinkedIn page; alternatively, contact me to request a PDF version.
"Black Sheep" to Probate:
Estranged Adult Children
According to recent research, over 25% of adults are estranged from a family member; 1 in 10 report an estrangement specifically from a parent or child. This article connects family-systems concepts to estate planning and frames the underlying tensions in the context of moral obligations versus legal duty.
Sell vs. Hold: Timing is Everything
As the Canadian real estate market experiences disruptive shifts, estate and trust administrators now face the added complexity of managing real estate assets within an estate. This article delves into the various factors they must consider to guide and support their decisions around selling or holding on to properties.
Fiduciaries Beware: Don't Ignore Estate Accounting
A recent lawsuit serves highlights the risks executors and trustees face when they fail to maintain accurate accounting records and are not accountable for estate/trust’s activities. In a world where courts enforce accountability and beneficiaries expect transparency, accounting can't be overlooked.
Four-Eyes Principle for Estate Planning
By applying the Four-Eyes Principle to estate planning through collaboration and proactive reviews, small errors can be caught before they escalate into major issues. This approach enhances accuracy along with ensuring plans are sufficiently comprehensive and aligned across disciplines.
Estate Administration: It's Complicated
Estate administration is notoriously complex. Executors face numerous challenges and obstacles that demand adept management of stakeholders, legal procedures, tax and financial matters. [This article coincides with my infographic by the same name - view it here.]
Optimizing the Family Journey
Framing estate planning and administration in the context of the family journey as a mindset and methodology for professional advisors in estate planning and administration. [This article coincides with the recording of the Executor Help Podcast that I was the invited guest.]
Hey Accountants - Just Ask
A client's trusted tax accountant/preparer is uniquely positioned to know and ask key questions to identify when a client's estate plans should be reviewed or updated.
A New Way of Thinking for Estates
The new "Economy 4.0" is also transforming the estate planning and administration space, rendering it much more client-centric.
Mind The Gap (Parts 1 & 2)
This two-part series is about estate planning and a call for advisors and clients to be mindful of aligning expectations of all involved.
5Ws&H For Legacy Plannng
Applying the time-tested "5W's+H" framework from journalism to estate planning, advisors need to ask these fundamental questions.
Strategies of Effective Executors
Drawing from Stephen Covey's "7 Habits of Highly Effective People" to set out a strategic framework for estate executors
The Executor Conundrum
The choice of the executors of an estate is paramount - but a challenge for many, in particular for those without children.
Advisors Unite
This was a post, to coincide with LSO's annual "Make A Will Month," calling on all advisors to embrace a holistic approach to estate planning.
It Isn't a Problem, Until it Is
A framework for adopting a candid approach with clients, inspired by Jim Collins’ iconic book “Good to Great” and his "overcoming the comfort of complacency".
Radical Candour
This article advocates for adopting a radical candour relationship with clients from the outset of litigation, to remain aligned to outcomes.
Project Success
Applying the framework from the book "How Big Things Get Done" to legal project management, to produce more successful outcomes.
Collective Agreement Commentaries & Opinions
GRE STATUS & PAYMENTS ON BEHALF OF DECEASED:
This commentary is in PDF format and viewable here; please contact me if you would like me to send it to you.
CA Commentary_GRE STATUS & PAYMENTS ON BEHALF OF DECEASED_by Bruce Young_Feb 25, 2025 (v1).pdfLinkedIn Posts
Income tax is challenging enough - add #AlternativeMinimumTax (AMT) and it's overwhelming! Cadesky Tax's webinar on AMT reinforced a subtle but important estates point: the “default” tax‑free rollover to a surviving spouse is not always the optimal answer.
With AMT, prior minimum tax can only be recovered to the extent there is regular tax otherwise payable in future years. If there is no or little tax to being incurred in the year of death, there is a potential situation where AMT carryover credit will be lost.
In some situations, deliberately triggering tax on the terminal return instead of relying on a full spousal rollover can allow the estate to use trapped AMT credits that would otherwise expire.
“Tax‑deferred” does not always mean “tax‑optimal” where AMT carry‑forwards are in play.
Articles and posts span an array of topics, including: #EstatePlanning #EstateAdministration #EstateManagement #EstateStrategy #EstateOptimization #CertifiedExecutorAdvisors #TrustedAdvisors #WillsandTrusts #TrustsandWills #TrustAdministration #FiduciaryAccounting #PassingAccounts #EstateMonitor #TrustMonitor #NegotiationStrategies #BATNA #PTW #LegalTech #LegalProjectManagement #OptimizingOutcomes #FamilyJourney
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