Given the recent news regarding the fall of Silicon Valley Bank, Sheri MacMillan, Founder and CEO has some advice for those that may be concerned about their investments both in Canada and the US.
- How does the recent failing of Silicon Valley Bank impact my assets and investments?
The answer to this will depend on where you invest and how proactive you have been about planning protective measures for your assets and investments.
It is important, especially during times of economic uncertainty, to protect your assets in a way that makes the most sense for you, your family and your long-term goals for retirement. Protecting your investments may always be at the forefront of your mind and certainly when significant events like the recent events at the Silicon Valley Bank occur. MacMillan Estate Planning can help you ride out stormy seas and safeguard your investments in a variety of ways to negate these concerns.
- How can I best protect my assets during times of uncertainty?
Proactive planning is imperative to ensure the protection of your personal assets. Using trusts is a great way to do this because you are essentially creating a legally binding relationship between trustee and beneficiary whereby the trustees manage assets on behalf of the beneficiary. Trusts can be built in several ways and will help to safeguard your estate.
Many Canadians come to MacMillan Estate Planning when they have concerns about losing their assets due to unforeseen and unpredictable economic events. In situations like the collapse of the Silicon Valley Bank, our experts at MacMillan will recommend our clients explore the use of trusts within their overall investment strategy. These particular kinds of trusts are protected under The Insurance Act which means that they carry less risk that more traditional investments whilst providing several benefits that offer both protection and reassurance.
We can also use trust planning within your will, and during your lifetime as a means of protecting asset value against a variety of risk, for the benefit of your families, both now and into the future through subsequent generations.
- What are the benefits of creating a trust?
There are several benefits to creating a trust that include, but are not limited to:
- In an investment context if provides the ability to lock in gains, whilst protecting against the effects of negative market volatility;
- creditor and liability protection;
- bypassing the probate process;
- reduced rates of taxation; and
- death benefit guarantee.
- I have a will. Do I also need an estate plan?
A will alone is not an estate plan and it does not provide any means for substantive tax or retirement planning.
Implementing a comprehensive estate plan, that looks at all of the relevant opportunities to protect and grow your estate whilst providing peace of mind and a clear tax planning strategy, can protect you, your assets and your loved ones from unexpected events that may occur over the course of your life.
- How can MacMillan Estate Planning help me protect my investments/assets?
As part of MacMillan Estate Planning’s comprehensive estate planning services, our experts will undertake a thorough review of your current assets and investments to ensure that they are structured properly. Our team will act very much like an architect for your wealth to protect your assets and investments using a number of ways to shield your estate from undue risk. Assets and investments should supply families with a concrete source of income for retirement and unnecessary losses can often be avoided if the proper actions and precautions are taken.
Our contemporary understanding of domestic and international legislation enables us to devise the most innovative means of minimizing the workload surrounding an estate all whilst maximizing your overall net worth. To learn more, or to talk to an estate planning professional, contact us today.
