Views

• What women want from their financial advisors

  03/15/2012
  As an independent professional woman, I’ve always bristled at the suggestion that there is somehow a difference in how I approach the management of my assets simply because of my gender. But having just come back from a Women Advisors’ Forum in the U.S. this week, I have to say there is a lot of... Keep Reading "What women want from their financial advisors" >

• How (not) to choose a financial advisor

  03/05/2012
  Last week a friend of mine asked us for help with his portfolio. His portfolio hadn’t made any money in eight years and he hasn’t made RRSP contributions for the past two years because he’s been so unhappy with the performance. He’s already switched financial advisors once (in 2008). Right now ... Keep Reading "How (not) to choose a financial advisor" >

• 5 things to know when developing your estate plan

  02/22/2012
  My partner, Kelly Willis, wrote a poignant post last week about the loss of her husband and the estate challenges she found in her path, all during a time she struggled with her bereavement. As a private client lawyer with many years of estate planning under my belt, I wanted to share some of ... Keep Reading "5 things to know when developing your estate plan" >

• Bereavement is bad enough

  02/07/2012
  My husband passed away a year ago last month.  We ought to have been prepared.  Two years earlier he had been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer for which there was “little predictive data”. We chose to be optimistic. When he died due to complications from surgery I was shocked and ... Keep Reading "Bereavement is bad enough" >

• Do you feel wealthy?

  01/17/2012
  “Am I wealthy?” It’s a question we are often asked by clients. Given that many of them live modest lifestyles, a lot of them don’t feel wealthy. A study by Fidelity Investments found that 42% of American millionaires do not feel wealthy. The investable asset level at which ... Keep Reading "Do you feel wealthy?" >

• How safe are GICs?

  01/10/2012
  Yesterday marked what could be a watershed moment for investors in Europe as Germany managed to sell €3.9 billion worth of six months bonds at a negative interest rate. Marginally negative, but it demonstrates that investors are so worried about the economy in Europe that they are willing to ... Keep Reading "How safe are GICs?" >

• Surviving spouse, it’s okay to spend the money

  11/22/2011
  I recently had the experience of counselling a long-time client who, despite a very secure financial position, was overcome with anxiety about money. What became clear to both of us after a lengthy and at times emotional discussion was that her anxiety was not about money at all. Rather it was ... Keep Reading "Surviving spouse, it’s okay to spend the money" >

• Choosing an investment professional

  07/28/2011
  Last week, John Heinzl of the Globe and Mail wrote a good piece on The Difference Between Advisors and Counsellors. He did a nice job of spelling out the key aspects of what it means to work with a professional investment counsellor versus a commissioned salesperson. Keep Reading "Choosing an investment professional" >

• IRS targeting U.S. citizens living ‘offshore’

  04/11/2011
  It seems the U.S. federal government is turning up the heat on offshore US citizens who aren’t part of the U.S. tax system – and they’re getting more focused on finding them.  This potentially has implications for U.S. citizens living in Canada. In an announcement earlier this year, the U.S. ... Keep Reading "IRS targeting U.S. citizens living ‘offshore’" >

• Preview Trust – A perfect Christmas gift from wealthy parents

  10/28/2010
  Many wealthy parents wonder how their children will manage an inheritance. We spend years preparing our children to be independent;  it’s no wonder many wealthy parents are concerned about how money may taint their children’s drive or motivation. Our clients vary widely in their ... Keep Reading "Preview Trust – A perfect Christmas gift from wealthy parents" >