You’ve spent years building your wealth, shaping it, protecting it. Now the question becomes: How will it live on? Passing wealth from one generation to the next requires more than documents and signatures. You also need to think about preserving values, maintaining purpose, and giving your family the tools they need to not just inherit money, but steward it wisely.
Whether it’s helping your children plant roots with their first home, ensuring the family cottage becomes a place for decades of memories, or transitioning the business that started it all, we make sure your story continues with precision and clarity.
The 'Great Wealth Transfer': A generational shift in Canada
Trillions of dollars are set to move across generations in Canada in the next few decades—the kind of shift that reshapes family legacies and financial futures in one fell swoop. Baby boomers, after decades of grit and growth, are passing the reins to their heirs, leaving not only money but businesses and properties.
This isn’t a hand-off without hurdles. Taxes, family dynamics, mismanagement risks—without strategy, wealth can dissolve faster than it’s built.
At Sylvain Morin & Associates, we turn complexity into clarity. From trust structures to tax reduction and preparing heirs for responsibility, we create plans that safeguard wealth while empowering the next generation. The Great Wealth Transfer is here. Let’s make sure your legacy isn’t just received—it thrives.
Breaking the silence on wealth conversations
Money discussions can sometimes make people uncomfortable. Even within families, discussions about inheritance, wills, or long-term plans tend to be brushed aside, leaving behind a trail of unanswered questions and unspoken assumptions. We bring families together for honest, constructive conversations about wealth. These aren’t stuffy meetings filled with jargon; they’re real discussions about what matters most. Shared values, goals, and how to balance freedom with responsibility.
Here’s what we focus on:
- Inheritance: Who gets what? It’s not just about fairness; it’s about clarity.
- Taking care of loved ones: Strategies to ensure financial stability for your family, from trusts to lump-sum distributions.
- Legacy: What will your wealth stand for? How will it reflect your work, your sacrifices, and your beliefs?
- Wills and wishes: Documents matter, but only if they reflect your true intentions.
The result? A family equipped with understanding, a plan built on purpose, and relationships strengthened through transparency.
Crafting a plan that moves with life
Drafting a will is a start. Crafting a strategy is the masterpiece. At Sylvain Morin & Associates, we go beyond the basics, designing plans that anticipate challenges and adapt to life’s shifts.
What’s in the plan?
- Estate planning: We minimize tax payments, simplify the legal processes, and ensure your assets land exactly where you want them.
- Trusts and gifting: Trusts don’t have to be mysterious—they’re tools for control and flexibility. Gifting during your lifetime isn’t just thoughtful; it can be financially savvy, too.
- Insurance planning: Life insurance provides liquidity, covers expenses, and gives your heirs breathing room during emotional times.
Our approach isn’t about handing over assets and hoping for the best. It’s about creating a structure where wealth flows intentionally—empowering rather than burdening.
Business succession without the chaos
For many families, wealth isn’t in cash—it’s in the business. The hours spent building it, the sacrifices made to grow it, and the legacy woven into every corner. Handing that over? It’s no small task.
As your Halifax financial advisor, we help smooth the transition, avoiding the pitfalls that can derail even the best-laid plans. Here’s how:
- Succession planning: We identify who’s stepping up—family, employees, or external buyers—and ensure they’re ready.
- Tax efficiency: The Canada Revenue Agency takes enough; we make sure they don’t take more than necessary during the transition.
- Business continuity: A transition shouldn’t interrupt operations. We keep the wheels turning, so the business doesn’t miss a beat.
Whether the business stays in the family or finds new ownership, we ensure it’s a move made with confidence and purpose.