Summer offers more than just sunshine and lake days — for many affluent families, it’s one of the few seasons where there’s space to step back, reflect, and plan ahead.
If your net worth is over $2 million, your estate isn’t just a financial portfolio — it’s a reflection of your life’s work. And it deserves protection.
At MacMillan Estate Planning, we often recommend that high-net-worth individuals revisit their estate plans annually, and summer is the perfect time to do so. Why? Because estate planning isn’t a one-and-done task — it’s a living, breathing strategy that should evolve with your life, your family, and the legal landscape.
1. Family Dynamics Change
Whether you’ve welcomed a new grandchild, experienced a change in your children’s relationships, or shifted roles in a family business, these events can significantly affect your estate intentions. Summer often brings families together — it’s the ideal moment to consider how those relationships factor into your legacy.
2. Tax Laws and Planning Opportunities Shift
We’re seeing continued evolution in tax legislation, especially as governments respond to inflation, real estate markets, and generational wealth transfer trends. If your estate plan hasn’t been updated in the last year, you may be missing out on valuable tax efficiencies — or worse, exposing your estate to avoidable risks.
3. Trust Structures and Legacy Planning Require Maintenance
Trusts, holding companies, philanthropic foundations — these tools are powerful, but they require regular review. Are the right people still in place as trustees? Are your instructions clear? Is your trust protecting your estate from future divorces, lawsuits, or creditors?
Summer is a quieter time for many professionals. That makes it an excellent window to meet with your estate team, revisit key structures, and ensure everything is working as intended.
Let’s Make the Most of This Season
We invite you to join us for a complimentary webinar on Thursday, June 19th at 6:30 PM MT, where we’ll explore the top estate and trust planning strategies for 2025 — including updated tax-saving opportunities, protective trust options, and wealth preservation tools for affluent Canadians.
Register here: https://www.macmillanestate.com/seminars
Your estate should reflect your values, safeguard your legacy, and give you confidence — not confusion. Let this summer be your opportunity to take the reins.
