Taking Control of the Future

Filmed November 2015 – edited into 16 parts; total 197 minutes

Taking Control of the Future – Planning for Families with Diverse Needs

A primary source of stress for families who have children with diverse needs is worrying about securing their future. This video will help families better understand planning options that are available to help secure the financial future of their children. The goals of the presentation are to help families supporting members with diverse needs to:

  • Understand the full range of planning opportunities that are available;
  • See how these strategies might be used to accomplish the family’s planning objectives;
  • Enable parents to articulate their objectives and communicate them to a professional advisor with greater confidence;
  • Remain in control of the development and implementation of a plan that suits their needs.

The presenters will discuss Registered Disability Savings Plans and the use of trusts.

About the Presenters

Blair Dwyer is a leading Canadian lawyer who focuses his practice on tax and estate planning.  He has been advising clients on these matters since 1985, first on Bay Street in Toronto and later as a tax partner with the Vancouver office of the national law firm McCarthy Tétrault.  In 1992 he set up his own practice in Victoria.  A member of ACT’s Advisory Council, Mr. Dwyer has two sons on the autism spectrum. Layli Antinuk is an associate lawyer practicing tax, trust and estate planning law at Dwyer Tax Law. She is a member of the Advisory Board of the Children’s Health & Human Rights Partnership.

Part 1 – Introduction and Available Tools (13:04)

Part 2 – Appointing Power of Attorney (16:09)

Part 3 – Types of Power of Attorney (14:06)

Part 4 – Health Care Directives (8:46)

Part 5 – Guardians and Coming of Age (5:58)

Part 6 – Representation and Capacity (9:02)

Part 7 – Agents Responsibilities and Restrictions (9:04)

Part 8 – What is a Trust? (10:50)

Part 9 – Setting up a trust (5:25)

Part 10 – Selecting a Trustee (10:11)

Part 11 – Types of Trusts (9:48)

Part 12 – Taxation and Trusts (17:54)

Part 13 – Qualified Disability Trusts (19:06)

Part 14 – Estate Freezing (12:41)

Part 15 – Will Planning (17:40)

Part 16 – RDSP (17:05)