Building Wealth Takes Years. Protecting and Transferring It Requires Planning.

The earlier the better — ideally 5 to 10 years before any planned transition. Earlier planning opens up more tax-efficient options, including the Lifetime Capital Gains Exemption, corporate restructuring, and gradual ownership transfers. However, it’s never too late to start.

The LCGE allows qualifying individuals to shelter a significant amount of capital gains on the sale of qualifying small business corporation shares from tax. For 2024, the LCGE is over $1 million. Eligibility requires meeting certain tests — we help you understand whether your shares may qualify and how to plan around it.

Yes — for legal documents such as wills, powers of attorney, and trust agreements, you’ll need a qualified legal advisor. Our role is the accounting and tax side of your estate strategy: identifying tax consequences, modeling transfer scenarios, and coordinating the financial pieces with your legal team.

At death, there is a deemed disposition of all assets — including shares of a private corporation — at fair market value. This can trigger significant capital gains. Proper planning (including a well-structured shareholder agreement, life insurance, and estate freeze strategies) can reduce the impact and ensure a smooth transition.