Estate & Legacy Planning

Alberta Family Estate Planning Specialists

Without a plan, courts decide what happens to your assets, your business, and your children. We make sure you do instead.

📋 Wills & Testaments
⚖️ Powers of Attorney
🏥 Personal Directives
💰 Estate Tax Planning
The Essential Documents

Three Documents Every Alberta Adult Needs

A complete estate plan covers medical, financial, and legacy decisions — protecting you before and after death.

🏥 Planning for Incapacity

Personal Directive

Appoints a trusted agent to make healthcare, housing, and medical decisions on your behalf if you lose mental capacity.

When it starts: Upon loss of capacity
🏦 Planning for Incapacity

Enduring Power of Attorney

Designates an attorney to manage your finances and legal affairs. Remains valid after incapacity — unlike a standard Power of Attorney.

When it starts: Upon loss of capacity
📜 Planning for Your Legacy

Last Will & Testament

Determines who inherits your assets, who cares for your children, and who administers your estate and files your final tax returns.

When it starts: Upon death
Last Will & Testament

Your Will: The Foundation of Every Alberta Estate Plan

Without a Will, Alberta's Wills and Succession Act determines how your estate is divided — and it may not match your wishes. A properly drafted Will puts you in control.

  • Name beneficiaries for all of your assets
  • Appoint a Personal Representative to administer your estate
  • Designate a guardian for minor or dependent children
  • Reduce probate exposure through strategic asset structuring
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Alberta Will and Testament estate planning
Incapacity Planning

Enduring Power of Attorney & Personal Directive

Your estate plan isn't only about what happens after you die. Incapacity — due to illness, accident, or cognitive decline — can leave your family without legal authority to act unless you've prepared these documents in advance.

In Alberta, both must be signed while you have full mental capacity. You cannot sign after a diagnosis of incapacity.

  • EPA: Manage bank accounts, investments, and real property
  • EPA: Pay bills, file taxes, and handle legal proceedings
  • Personal Directive: Direct medical treatment decisions
  • Personal Directive: Specify end-of-life care and resuscitation wishes
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Power of Attorney and Personal Directive Alberta
Tax Planning

Estate Tax Planning for Alberta Residents

Alberta has no estate or inheritance tax — but there are significant income tax consequences on death that require advance planning.

📋

Terminal T1 Tax Return

A final personal tax return must be filed for the year of death, including all income and deemed dispositions up to the date of death.

💸

Deemed Disposition of Assets

On death, you are deemed to have sold all capital property at fair market value. Accrued capital gains are triggered — proper planning minimizes this significantly.

📈

RRSP / RRIF Inclusion

The full value of your RRSP or RRIF is included as income on death, unless rolled tax-free to a surviving spouse or qualifying dependent.

✅

CRA Clearance Certificate

Before distributing the estate, the Personal Representative must obtain a CRA clearance certificate confirming all taxes are paid. We handle this for executors.

Discuss Your Estate Tax Plan →
How It Works

How Swift Helps with Your Estate Plan

We handle the tax and financial side — working alongside your estate lawyer from initial strategy through to final filings.

1

Strategy Consultation

We review your assets, family situation, and goals — then map out your estate planning priorities.

2

Tax & Financial Planning

We model the tax impact under different scenarios and identify strategies to minimize your estate's tax burden.

3

Lawyer Coordination

We coordinate with your estate lawyer — or refer you to one — to draft your Will, EPA, and Personal Directive.

4

Estate Administration

When the time comes, we assist the Personal Representative with final tax returns and CRA clearance certificates.

Common Questions

Estate Planning FAQs

What is an Enduring Power of Attorney in Alberta?
An Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) designates a trusted person to manage your financial and legal affairs if you become mentally incapacitated. Unlike a regular Power of Attorney, it remains valid after you lose capacity — which is exactly when it's needed most.
Do I need a Will if I'm young and healthy?
Yes. Every adult in Alberta should have a Will regardless of age. Without one, Alberta's Wills and Succession Act determines how your estate is divided — which may not reflect your wishes. If you have children, a Will is the only way to formally name a guardian for them.
What taxes are owed when someone dies in Alberta?
Alberta has no provincial estate tax or inheritance tax. However, a terminal T1 return must be filed for the year of death. Registered accounts (RRSP, RRIF) are treated as income unless transferred to a qualifying surviving spouse. Capital gains on all capital property are triggered at death and taxed in the terminal return.
How can Swift Accounting help with estate planning?
Swift handles the tax and financial side — terminal tax returns, estate tax planning, RRSP/RRIF minimization, capital gains planning, and LCGE preservation. We also assist Personal Representatives through estate administration, including final filings and CRA clearance certificates.

Your Estate Plan Starts with One Conversation

Book a consultation and we'll outline exactly what your estate plan needs — and what it'll cost. No obligation.

Book a Consultation Call (403) 999-2295