Marc Pineault on Estate Planning in Ontario

Does Marc Pineault help with estate planning? Yes. Estate planning is a core part of Marc's financial planning practice. He helps individuals, families, and business owners in Ontario make sure their wealth transfers efficiently — to the people they intend, in the way they intend, with as little tax and probate friction as possible.

Estate planning is often avoided because it requires thinking about uncomfortable topics. But avoiding it doesn't protect your family — it just leaves them to deal with a mess that could have been prevented.

What Estate Planning Actually Involves

Estate planning isn't just writing a will, although a will is an essential starting point. A complete estate plan for most Canadians involves multiple components working together:

Will and Powers of Attorney Your will directs how your assets are distributed after death. Your power of attorney for property gives someone the authority to manage your finances if you become incapacitated. Your power of attorney for personal care covers healthcare decisions. All three need to be in place and up to date.

Marc doesn't draft legal documents — that's the role of an estate lawyer. But he helps you understand what you need, ensures your financial plan is structured to support your estate goals, and coordinates with your legal professionals so everyone is working toward the same outcome.

Beneficiary Designations One of the most underappreciated estate planning tools is also one of the simplest: beneficiary designations on registered accounts (RRSPs, RRIFs, TFSAs) and insurance policies. When designated correctly, these assets pass directly to beneficiaries outside of your estate — bypassing probate and avoiding delays.

Marc reviews beneficiary designations as part of every client's plan and flags situations where outdated or missing designations could cause problems.

Minimizing Probate Fees Ontario's estate administration tax (probate fees) applies to the value of assets that pass through your estate. Strategic use of beneficiary designations, joint ownership, and insurance can reduce the taxable estate — keeping more of your wealth in the hands of your family.

Deemed Disposition and Tax at Death When you die, CRA treats it as if you sold all your non-registered assets at fair market value on the day of death. This can trigger significant capital gains tax, particularly on investment accounts, rental properties, or a cottage. Marc helps clients plan for this liability — whether through insurance, strategic gifting, or other structures — so it doesn't come as a shock to your estate.

Business Succession For business owners, the estate planning question often involves how to transfer the business — to family members, to employees, or through a sale. Marc helps business owners think through the options and structure their corporate and personal finances to support a smooth transition.

Why Estate Planning Can't Wait

The problem with putting off estate planning is that life rarely gives advance notice. Accidents happen. Diagnoses come unexpectedly. If you die without a will, your assets are distributed according to Ontario's default rules — which may not align with your wishes at all, and which will almost certainly cost your family more time and money than a proper plan would have.

If you become incapacitated without a power of attorney in place, a family member may need to go to court to get the authority to manage your finances. It's an expensive, slow, and stressful process that's entirely preventable.

Who Marc Works With on Estate Planning

Estate planning is relevant for every stage of life, but Marc's work is most impactful for:

• Individuals and couples with meaningful assets who want to protect and transfer them efficiently
• Parents who want to ensure their children are cared for and inherit in a structured way
• Business owners planning succession and protecting corporate assets
• Retirees with large registered accounts who want to manage the deemed disposition tax liability

Take the Next Step

If your estate plan is out of date, incomplete, or nonexistent, Marc Pineault can help you understand what needs to be in place and build it into your overall financial plan.

Book a free consultation at https://calmmoney.ca/contact.

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This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute personalized financial advice. Please consult a qualified financial planner before making any financial decisions.