Estate & Trust and Accounting Planning and Return Prep

Estate and Trust Administration

Private Fiduciary Solutions

Estate & Trust Planning 

Estate & Trust Tax and Accounting Planning (post-mortem) and Return Preparation

When an individual dies, the personal representative or executor has a duty to ensure all tax filings of the deceased and the estate are prepared and filed, and that tax clearance is obtained prior to final distribution of the estate assets.

I can assist with the preparation and filing of

  • T1 personal tax returns, including year of death (terminal) returns, prior year returns, T1 adjustments, optional elective returns such as rights & things
  • Estate T3 tax and information returns
  • Interviewers or testamentary trust T3 tax returns
  • Preparation of T4 information return requirements for executor or administrator fees
  • Non-resident information returns (NR-4) and section 116 Nonresident compliance certificate requests
  • Tax clearance certificate application
  • Corporate T2 tax filings involved in post-mortem plans
  • Advise and model on taxation matters

When an individual dies, the personal representative or executor has a duty to report to residual beneficiaries of the Estate. Under the Trustee Act (Alberta), a Trustee has a duty to report to all “qualified beneficiaries” on a timely basis, under certain conditions.

I can assist with the preparation of:

  • Formal estate, trust, and power of attorney accounts for court passing or beneficiary approval and releases.
  • Informal Accounting for estate or trust
  • Determination of final residue of estate, proposed distribution schedule, and executor compensation calculation
  • Accounting support to US tax prepares for determination of Canadian estate information for foreign trust 3520/3520A US filing disclosure
Just Estates

Estate and Trust Administration

Whether acting as agent for the Personal Representative/executor named under the Will or as a fully appointed Administrator of an estate, I am able to offer the full-cycle of administration

This includes:

  • Arranging for probate with an estate lawyer
  • Marshalling assets and arranging for valuation and realization
  • Securing assets -insurance arrangements
  • Assistance with family business and succession plans
  • Fiduciary estate accounting for beneficiary reporting
  • Compilation of formal estate accounts for passing of accounts in court, or for beneficiary approval and release
  • Tax return preparation for deceased, estate, ongoing trusts, corporate
  • Clearance certificate applications
  • Enforcement of wishes - distribution of assets consistent with terms of the will or intestacy legislation
  • Liaising with beneficiaries, estate lawyers, real estate agents, bankers, creditors, financial planners and valuators
  • Administration and trustee services for ongoing personal trust

With me as Agent or Appointed Administrator, you can count on:

Tailored support to meet the estate's, beneficiaries' and executor's needs

  • Professional expertise to deal with all complexity levels of an estate administration
  • Assurance that the administration will be carried out by an impartial, independent specialist that is governed by their professional associations' ethics and professional code of conduct
  • Timely and clear communication and reporting to stakeholder

What is an Agent for Executor?

An agent to the named executor is an advisor who the named representative can retain to carry out duties on their behalf. This may be desirable where the named executor still wishes to be the ultimate trustee of the estate and continue to have the overriding authority to administer an estate; but:

  • Lacks availability to do the legwork of an administration
  • Has an absence of technical expertise in specific areas of the settling of an estate
  • Wishes to have an independent, even-handed fiduciary bring resolution to a complex administration

Private Fiduciary Solutions - Trustee Appointments & Agency

Acting as a personal representative/executor is a significant responsibility that often involves intricate, time-consuming, and stressful tasks. Many personal representatives and named attorneys under a power of attorney are unprepared for the complexity of the role, and the high expectations of beneficiaries that can add further pressure. These dynamics can unfortunately lead to family conflicts, costly mistakes, and even legal disputes.

I can help you navigate this challenging time with clarity and confidence, ensuring your wishes are honoured while minimizing the strain on you and your family. I offer private trustee solutions, with the trustee and personal representative appointments for Estates, testamentary or inter-vivos trusts, and power of attorney.

Just Estates
Just Estates

Estate and Trust Litigation Support Services

Unfortunate disputes can arise in estate and trust matters where there is a need for an independent and objective accounting professional to assist with the interpretation of trustee or estate accounting, or to perform other agreed-upon procedures for various lawyer support requirements.

I can provide lawyer assistance for analysis of information and non-assurance-related reporting in compliance with the Canadian Standard on Related Services, including CSRS 4200 for Compilation of Estate or Trustee Accounts or CSRS 4400 Agreed Upon Procedures and accounts compliant for court passing requirements.