AGENDA

Wednesday, June 9th

————————————————————————-

Regulatory Review: WESA and the BC estates ecosystem in 2021. (12.00-12.30pm)

In this session, our presenters from the forum’s founding partner - Hammerco Lawyers - will review the key rules (and recent changes) related to WESA (The Wills, Estates and Succession Act). They will look at what the rules mean for estates practitioners and how they apply to their respective practices. Emerging trends to watch and why they matter in terms of regulation. They will also review case studies of some recent high profile estates matters and why they are important.

Presenter:

Morgyn Chandler, Co-Managing Partner, Hammerco Lawyers

Krista Simon, Partner, Hammerco Lawyers

————————————————————————-

Collaborative estate planning in action. (12.30-1.30 PM)

Estate matters face accelerating complexity due to a number of key drivers. These centre around managing the largest generational transfer of wealth in history; complex, multi-jurisdictional family estates and navigating multiple generations’ differing perspectives on the estates process.   

In order to help clients navigate this complexity, professional advisers play a key role. Not only in terms of their specific expertise on topics related to estate matters, but also the increased requirement (and expectation) for increased collaboration and sophisticated, synchronized approaches between them.

On the forum’s opening panel, our speakers will review the current landscape of the key drivers and trends surrounding estate matters in British Columbia. The types of expertise required from professionals to help their clients navigate the estates process. And review specific examples of successful collaborative estate planning amongst advisors in action.

Speakers:

Jennifer Hodgson, CEO, Raymond James Trust

Stephanie Woo, Portfolio Manager & Wealth Advisor, RBC Dominion Securities

Nicola Collins, Senior Associate, Hammerco Lawyers

Kevin Parton, Executive Financial Planner, IG Wealth Management

Chair: James Fraser, Co-Founder, Planworth

————————————————————————-

The estates sector and innovation in a disruptive era. (1.30-2.30PM)

As digitization across society and business accelerates, so does the need for the estates sector to innovate. At its core, estate planning, administration and distribution requires professionals from multiple disciplines to collaborate on complex matters. For end users – coordination, planning and execution during the estates process is often seen as opaque, slow and primarily analogue. This creates opportunities for agents and drivers of change.

In this session, our speakers will focus on the challenges and opportunities faced by estate professionals and their clients when it comes to collaboration and the efficient resolution of estates matters. They'll also look at how new approaches and the emergence of technology driven platforms can help create a positive end user experience and deliver better results (for both professionals and consumers).

Speakers:

Ari Brodje, Founder + CEO, Estateably

Erin Bury, CEO + Co-Founder, Willful

Jessie Vaid, Co-Founder + CEO, ReadyWhen

Chair: Laurent Munier, Partner and Financial Security Adviser, Safe Pacific Financial Inc.

Presenting Sponsor:

————————————————————————-

Navigating estates disputes. (2.30 - 3.30pm)

Estates ending up in a dispute between beneficiaries is a common theme during the distribution process. And - as estates have become more complex - there are many areas where disputes  have the potential to arise.

During this session our speakers will review:

• Case studies of some recent high profile estates cases and why they are important.

• Common types of estates disputes (valuations; definition of spouse; uneven gifts to beneficiaries) and how the application of rules stemming from WESA apply.

• The evolving strategies of resolving estates disputes including mediation, the role of the courts and common risks and challenges facing the process.

• A review of the types of strategies to resolve disputes undertaken by estate litigators on behalf of their clients. The evolving role of the courts. And the increasing importance of alternative dispute resolution through mediation.

Speakers:

Hon. Mary Ellen Boyd, Cornish Margolis Boyd Mediation & Arbitration

Krista Simon, Partner, Hammerco Lawyers

Joe Al-Khayat, Co-Founder, Resolve Disputes Online

Chair: Lynne Charbonneau, Lawyer | Corporate Director | Tribunal Judge

Presenting Sponsor:

————————————————————————-

The evolving role of trusts in estate planning. (3.30 - 4.30pm)

With the value of estates in BC skyrocketing over the past few decades, the role of trusts as a key tool in the estates process has risen in turn. Trusts are complex and often opaque; and navigating them requires specialist expertise. Here, our panel will review the evolving role of trusts in estate planning and how they can be best employed to protect estates: both for the creators of them and their beneficiaries.

During the session, the presenters will discuss:

• An overview of the value, benefit and types of trusts and how they are being used in the estate planning process.

• Key concepts related to trusts and the estates process.

• Areas of risk to estates and how trusts can be used to mitigate them.

• The value and importance of professional trustees and the professional ecosystem surrounding trusts.

• Societal drivers that are changing the nature and scope of trusts.

• The latest trends when it comes to trusts (including estate freezes, cross border trusts, tax implications).

Speakers:

Damian McGrath, Senior Trust Advisor, Raymond James Trust

Tina Huang, Senior Manager, Tax, BDO

Sheryne Mecklai, Partner, Manning Elliott Accountants & Business Advisors

Nicola Collins, Senior Associate, Hammerco Lawyers

Chair: Tarsem Basraon, Co-Founder, Planworth

Presenting Sponsor:

————————————————————————-

Thursday, June 10th

————————————————————————-

Fireside Chat with Sharon Hartung: The state of innovation in the estates ecosystem (12.30-1pm)
The estates ecosystem is ripe for disruption. And a number of new players are emerging with innovative platforms offering tech driven solutions across workflows related to estate planning and administration. Our opening session is a fireside chat with world leading expert on innovation in the estates sector - Sharon Hartung.

Presenting Sponsor:

————————————————————————-

Estate planning in the digital age. (1.00-2.00 PM)

As the world rapidly digitizes, so do estates. Here, our expert panel will look at the contemporary contexts and drivers when it comes to digitization and the estates ecosystem. And, what the broader implications of an increasingly digitized society are for the estate planning and administration process.

During the session, our speakers will review the following themes:

• What are digital assets and what are the key areas estates professionals need to be aware of? How has the pandemic accelerated the importance of digital assets in terms of estate planning?

• What role do professionals and other advisors play in managing digital assets in the estate process? What risks do advisors and their clients face if digital assets are not managed properly?

• What platforms are available to professionals to assist with making this process more efficient and enable value added solutions to be offered to their clients?  

Speakers:

Sree Chintala, Co-Founder, Clocr

Azool Jaffer-Jeraj, Partner, DJJ Law

Tyler Nyvall, Legal Counsel (Law Reform), Policy and Legislation Division, BC Ministry of Attorney General

Sara Adami-Johnson, Director, BMO Wealth Planning

Chair: Andrew Bowyer, Founder + CEO, ADB Insights

Presenting Sponsor:

————————————————————————-

Managing multi-jurisdictional estates in British Columbia. (2.00-3.00PM)

Increasingly, many BC estates have multi-jurisdictional elements. For clients with foreign assets and businesses, multiple citizenships/domiciles and beneficiaries based in multiple jurisdictions special considerations come into play. To manage these types of estates effectively, having a group of advisors who are able to advise on complex financial, legal, tax and insurance considerations is critical.

In this session, our presenters will consider:

• The current drivers, trends and when it comes to managing multi-jurisdictional estates in BC.

• Strategies and tools available to manage them effectively and review the common risks facing them.

• Ensuring fair and equitable distribution of estates under WESA.

• How to best build a team of advisors to deliver results for clients with complex, multi-jurisdictional estate planning needs.

Speakers:

Mikis Manolis, Counsel, Hammerco Lawyers

Douglas Chiu, Partner, Hammerco Lawyers

Bernard Lau, Founder and Managing Partner, Bernard Lau Law Office

Chair: Patricia MacInnis, Principal, UpWord Communications

————————————————————————-

Protecting vulnerable individuals and their estates. (3.00 -4.00 PM)

The Covid-19 pandemic has uncovered serious failings in terms of how Canadian institutions and society protect the elderly and the vulnerable. In the estate planning context - the rise of financial abuse of vulnerable people when it comes to their estates is a key area of concern. Financial abuse - according to the department of justice - is the most commonly reported type of abuse against seniors in Canada. For vulnerable people who are not seniors, but have disabilities for example, these risks are equally applicable.

To counteract this trend, estates advisors need to be aware of issues surrounding capacity, undue influence and the risks posed by rogue family members, advisors and caretakers.

On this panel, our speakers will outline the key trends in terms of risks facing vulnerable populations and their estates. What advisors need to be aware of to assess them properly. And the best practices they can employ to help to mitigate and manage them.

Speakers:

Athenea O'Bryan, Senior Manager, Tax and Estate Planning , IG Wealth Management

Sybil Verch, EVP, Head of Private Client Solutions, Raymond James Ltd.

Anthony Eden, Associate, Hammerco Lawyers

Kim Gale, Founder + Partner, Gale Law

Chair: Andrew Bowyer, Founder + CEO, ADB Insights

Presenting Sponsor:

—————————————————————————-

Founding Partner

Presenting Sponsors

Associate Sponsors

Questions?

Contact the event organizer by email for speaking and sponsorship opportunities:

andrew@adbinsights.com

Follow Us!

twitter

linkedin