Show Your Will Power Trivia
Kick off the conference at the Friday Night Reception by sharing your knowledge and breaking the ice as you get to know other attendees in a fun and relaxed setting. Put your wills, estates and trusts expertise to the test as you compete against other teams for bragging rights and exciting prizes.
Tamara L. Dewar, Hamilton
Duncan
Sarah Weber, Hamilton Duncan
Safeguarding Against Elder Abuse
Older adults are at risk of abuse with capacity limitations causing their vulnerability. This multi-perspective panel considers the legal, social justice and risk management sides of elder abuse involving finances. Understand the signs of abuse, available immediate intervention options and proactive ways to protecting vulnerable adults before litigation becomes necessary.
Raman Johal, Gowling WLG
Julia Lauwers, Vancouver Coastal Health
Jeanine Tang, TD Bank
Optimal Tax Techniques
Expansions to the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) have caused growing significance for estate planners. With further introduced obligations for Bare Trust and Trust Tax Reporting, risk areas and “traps” are more prevalent than ever. Specializing lawyers share tips for and build confidence in tackling the overlap between tax and estate.
Parveen Karsan, Karsan Tax Law
Corporation
Jennifer Leach Sandford, Horne Coupar LLP
Estates On and Off Reserve
Increasing demand for services regarding Indigenous estate planning prompts discussion around key legislative and jurisdictional distinctions. Attain a clear understanding of the differences between on-reserve and off-reserve estate matters, as well as how administration processes work with Indigenous Services Canada and under the Indian Act.
Speakers TBA
Charitable Trusts Case by Case
Counsel from the BC Ministry of Attorney General break down the nature of charitable purpose trusts and the voluntary role the AG plays in protecting charitability. Explore the process and legal bases behind varying charitable purpose trusts through a sample of cases such as Satguru Ram Singh Satsang Charitable Foundation v Akalirai, 2026 BCSC 717, Jim Crerar Charitable Trust (Re), 2022 BCSC 60, and others.
Sarah A.E. Kay, BC Ministry of Attorney
General
Sointula Kirkpatrick, BC Ministry of Attorney General
The Digital Side of Estate Planning
As technology continues to grow, its importance within the realm of estate planning does too. Unpack the evolution of digital estate administration, complete with an examination of electronic wills and their practical implications, digital assets and succession planning, and cryptocurrency considerations.
Geoffrey White, KC, Clark Wilson LLP
Putting Theory into Practice
Interact with your colleagues as you apply new knowledge into hypothetical wills, trusts and estates scenarios. Litigators and solicitors collaborate to propose solutions and debate approaches through multiple short fact pattern exercises. Apply what you’ve learned from the conference and learn from other attendees’ unique perspectives.
Caroline Deane, Horne Coupar LLP
Chelsea Wilson, RLR Lawyers
Intricacies in Modern Family Structures
Estate planning issues arise when diverse families don’t fit into the standard mold. Non-traditional family arrangements incorporating 2SLGBTQIA+ family planning, adoption and donor, surrogacy or multi-parent agreements require finesse. Family and fertility law practitioners shed light on issues related to assisted reproduction, intestacy issues and what to do when dealing with changing family dynamics.
Monique Shebbeare, TD Wealth
Catherine J. Wong, Daykin Walker Kaderly Wahid LLP
Litigating for Blended Families
Typical estate planning often involves the assumption of a conventional family, but not everyone falls into that category. Blended families with stepparents, half-siblings and former spouses have their own set of potential estate pitfalls to consider. Examine case studies with unique family blends to prepare for risk avoidance and litigation issues resulting from estate disputes.
Speakers TBA
Year in Review
Updating your practice calls for a recap of all the latest happenings in the field of wills, estates and trusts. From significant legislation updates and key litigation decisions to noteworthy and unusual cases, this session covers the practical implications lawyers want to know. Hear from a panel of early-career Victoria lawyers as they summarize the past year and discuss the rollover effects.
Moderator Tamara L. Dewar, Hamilton
Duncan
Jacob Harrigan, Farris LLP
Alan Jordan, Horne Coupar LLP
