Planning for your estate can seem like a far-off concept or a daunting project to tackle on another day. But without a plan, how will your life’s work be honoured?
The LifeBook™ program is designed to guide you through the process of planning your legacy. The comprehensive approach factors in all aspects of your current financial, legal and business considerations while helping you create a pain-free estate plan that incorporates your family and personal objectives. After completing the process, you’ll have one resource that encapsulates your entire plan, giving you peace of mind and confidence about anything that comes around the corner.
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How a LifeBook can prepare you for the twists and turns
Protect what you've built by developing a plan that can help your loved ones navigate any challenge. A LifeBook helps you feel confident that your family will be looked after.
Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP)
MNP is proud to be certified as a Gold Employer Partner with the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP). STEP is the global professional association for practitioners who specialize in family inheritance and succession planning. Learn more about this accreditation
Build your legacy
Estate planning can be an emotional experience. Our advisors work with you the create a personalized plan that respects your life’s work and your wishes for your family.
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Tax planning A proper tax plan can reduce the amount of tax you will pay in your lifetime and will ensure any transfers are fair and/or equitable with after-tax dollars. Our team analyzes your situation and develops a plan to ensure you’re set up in a tax-efficient manner.
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Asset risk assessment Different assets carry different amounts of risk in estate situations. For example out-of-province or country assets can have unique implications. We help you understand the risks of your assets and guide you through a strategy to mitigate any challenges.
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Asset distribution strategy The question of who gets what is at the core of many estate disputes. Developing and communicating a thorough asset strategy, including assets you may not have considered, maintains family harmony and reduces conflict.
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Will review Wills are dynamic documents that need to change as your situation evolves. Few people have wills that stay up to date or capture everything they should. Our team evaluates your will to ensure that you’re always prepared.
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Generational education A legacy that lasts generations happens through determination and education. To be responsible stewards, the next generation needs to be prepared and informed. Also, it is important to arrange supports in cases where the next generation is not able to manage assets on their own. Our team can help facilitate generational education and we tailor those conversations to your wishes.
Insights
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Progress
November 29, 2023
Case Study: Estate Planning for the Future of Disabled Family Members
This case study illustrates how to provide for loved ones with disabilities when estate planning. Samuel and Sarita are caring for their disabled son as well as for Samuel’s mother and want to plan for the future in a tax-efficient manner.
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Performance
April 26, 2024
How can small business owners navigate the people puzzle?
How can you address people issues as a small business owner? These steps can help you overcome obstacles and give you more time to focus on your business.
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Performance
April 24, 2024
How monitoring your results can help you make informed decisions for your manufacturing business
How can you make informed decisions to support the future of your manufacturing business? These tools can help you achieve the right results.
Let's connect
What kind of legacy do you expect to leave behind? Contact a member of our team to discuss your estate plan and the immediate steps you can take to clarify your wishes and make sure your loved ones will be taken care of for many years to come.
For an even more comprehensive plan that will serve you today and for generations to come, be sure to ask about the Succession, Personal Tax, and / or Family Office services MNP also offers.
Our LifeBook™ team
Michelle D. Coleman CPA, CA, TEP, CEA
Lifebook Champion
Michelle is a member of MNP’s Domestic Tax Services team in Edmonton specializing in Trust and Estate Planning. Michelle delivers advanced tax advice and solutions to individuals, trusts, business owners and corporations at all stages of corporate growth, from start-up to succession planning, helping them realize their goals.
Michelle provides her clients with the information and tools they need to make the best decisions possible, both for today and for the long term.
Michelle’s services include trust, estate and post-mortem planning, succession planning, tax planning for retirement, Lifebook, corporate reorganizations, and providing support in CRA audits, reviews and appeals, including submissions under the Voluntary Disclosure Program. She prepares and reviews personal, corporate, and trust income tax returns, and helps executors navigate their responsibilities in administering an estate.
Michelle is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), qualifying as a Chartered Accountant (CA) in 2013. She completed CPA Canada’s In-Depth Tax Course in 2017 and received the Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP) designation through the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners in 2019 and Canadian Institute of Certified Executor Advisors (CEA) designation in 2020.
Michelle mentors students who are working through the Chartered Professional Accountants (CPA) program and preparing for the CPA Common Final Examination and STEP candidates preparing for module exams. She is a board member (chair 2023) of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) Edmonton and past-chair of the Member Services Committee of STEP Canada. Michelle was named STEP Edmonton Volunteer of the Year in 2019 and is a recipient of CPA Alberta's 2023 Early Achievement award.