Join us at the Victoria Conference Centre in Victoria, BC for a multi-day networking and learning event for wills and estates practitioners.
Topics will include:
- Assessing and Arguing Capacity in Non-Standard Transactions
- The Lawyer as Witness: Privilege and Waiver in Life and Death
- Cross-Border Considerations for Albertans Owning Assets in British Columbia
- Navigating Competing and Conflicting Claims in an Estate, Caveats, and the Importance of Independent Legal Advice
- How to Navigate the Surrogate Digital Service (SDS) Application in Unusual Applications
- Unwitting Tickets to the Tax Court
- Death and Dower Rights
- Broken Promises or Best Intentions? Exploring Common Truths and Misconceptions Surrounding Joint Ownership in Canada
- Administration of Problematic Assets
- Navigating the Rules and Practical Approach to Estate Litigation
- De-Escalating High Conflict Behaviour
Refresher conference registration does not include hotel accommodations. Please see the “Accommodations” tab for optional hotels within walking distance of the conference site.
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*Please Note: Program formats and dates are subject to change. Prices are subject to GST. Early bird pricing ends on January 16, 2025. This program is not being recorded or livestreamed and will not be made available as an on-demand program.
If multiple people from your firm/organization would like to attend this program, please contact [email protected] for pricing. To receive discounted group pricing, you must contact us prior to the first registration from your firm.
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Registration is open until 4pm five business days prior to the date of the program. LESA typically sends e-materials three business days in advance of the program date (where applicable).
For payment, cancellation, and transfer policies, please click here.
LESA has obtained conference rates at select hotels within walking distance of the Victoria Conference Centre. Rooms at the conference rate are limited and once gone, the next best available rate will be offered. Please see below for booking information.
Marriott Victoria Inner Harbour | 728 Humboldt Street, Victoria BC
Deluxe King or Queen: $239 per night
Superior King or Queen Room: $259 per night
Click here to reserve a room.
DoubleTree By Hilton Hotel and Suites | 777 Douglas Street, Victoria BC
Standard Room (King or Two Queens): $279 per night
Click here to reserve a room.
Chateau Victoria Hotel & Suites | 740 Burdett Avenue, Victoria BC
Traditional Room (King or Two Queens): $229 per night
One Bedroom Suite: $279 per night
Click here to reserve a room
or call: 1-800-663-5891 (refer to LESA, Legal Education Society of Alberta)
Rates are subject to applicable taxes and fees. For additional accommodations near the Victoria Conference Centre, browse alternate hotels here.
Schedule-at-at-Glance*
Thursday, April 10
1:00 pm – 5:30 pm Conference Sessions
5:30 pm – 6:30 pm Networking Reception
Friday, April 11
9:00 am – 5:00 pm Conference Sessions
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm Networking Reception
Saturday, April 12
9:00 am – 3:00 pm Conference Sessions
*Note: Times are approximate and subject to change
Assessing and Arguing Capacity in Non-Standard Transactions | John E.S. Poyser, Jennifer R. Lamb, Helen R. Ward KC
The capacity test necessary for a will is common knowledge, but what is required in other transactions? What about when making a minor gift? Settling a gold coin? Making a codicil or adding an administrative clause? Settling half of a person’s worldly goods into an alter ego trust? Voting shares to approve corporate reorganization?
Discover how to develop and deploy capacity tests for each of these scenarios. Solicitors will gain important planning insights, and litigators will discover useful tips for impeaching or defending a transaction.
The Lawyer as Witness: Privilege and Waiver in Life and Death | Layne N. Thiessen
Learn about privilege and waiver, a lawyers’ duties to present and past clients, ethical considerations, and how to develop best practices when dealing with confidential and sensitive information as a solicitor or barrister.
Cross-Border Considerations for Albertans Owning Assets in British Columbia | Fiona Hunter
Discuss regional differences between Alberta and British Columbia, current case law, as well as drafting and litigation considerations when operating in the two jurisdictions.
Navigating Competing and Conflicting Claims in an Estate, Caveats, and the Importance of Independent Legal Advice | Jennifer R. Lamb, Paul E. Reid, Layne N. Thiessen
How do you plan around and litigate competing and conflicting claims? When and how do you attempt to stop administration to resolve competing and conflicting claims? When drafting, what approach should you take to weigh potential claims?
Explore real world issues that come into play when sorting out claims and gain insight into the application of independent legal advice when an estate becomes complicated by competing claims.
How to Navigate the Surrogate Digital Service (SDS) Application in Unusual Applications | Torri Woods
The SDS system revolutionized estate administration, but it doesn’t address all situations. Delve into unusual applications through case studies that explore such situations as limited grants, correcting applications, or appealing decisions when an order is required.
Unwitting Tickets to the Tax Court | Justice Don R. Sommerfeldt
Join a retired Tax Court of Canada (TCC) judge to deepen your understanding of tax litigation tips and traps, TCC procedures and advocacy, and drafting pitfalls that create unexpected tax consequences for trusts and estates.
Topics include the role and importance of clearance certificates, the CRA’s collection power under s 160 of the Income Tax Act, the fallout from the Supreme Court’s Collins Family Trust decision, incomplete tax settlements interrupted by an unexpected death, bare trusts, and the use of expert valuation reports in respect of property that is the subject of the deemed disposition on death.
Death and Dower Rights | Tracy King
While dower rights are generally understood, often too little attention is paid to the details and how these rights may ultimately impact the administration of an estate when the landowner dies leaving behind a spouse who is not on title.
Dive deeper in a review of recent case law and discover exactly what dower rights include (which may surprise you!), what difficulties can arise, strategies for overcoming challenges, and tips for the drafting solicitor.
Broken Promises or Best Intentions? Exploring Common Truths and Misconceptions Surrounding Joint Ownership in Canada | Kimberly Whaley, Nancy Lynn Golding KC, Helen R. Ward KC, Jennifer R. Lamb, Les Scholly
Recent caselaw surrounding joint ownership of assets in Canada has highlighted not only tension between the law in gifts and rights of survivorship but has also demonstrated some of the potential pitfalls in using joint ownership as an estate planning vehicle.
This presentation will explore joint ownership through the lens of the presumptions of Resulting Trust and Advancement by taking a comprehensive look at treatment of the issues across Canada and some of the common circumstances which lead to disputes.
Join us as we review recent decisions and the divergence of outcomes in the context of remedial proceedings to reaffirm beneficial ownership, restore title, and respond to misappropriation. We’ll also address practical steps and planning to prevent abuse and navigate the restitution of abuse.
Administration of Problematic Assets | Les Scholly
Discuss commonly occurring but unusual assets you may encounter in the administration of an estate: selling a business, dealing with professional corporations, good will, family use property, collections, bullion, and more.
Navigating the Rules and Practical Approach to Estate Litigation | Nancy Lynn Golding KC, Helen R. Ward KC, Michael Klaray
Glean important information from senior practitioners about how the court considers costs, accounting (including Rule 99 applications and pre-death transactions), rectification, interpretation, validation, non-compliant documents, as well as evidence and hearsay (including the discovery of drafting solicitors and what drafting solicitors can do in anticipation of litigation).
De-Escalating High Conflict Behaviour | Michael Lomax
Michael Lomax is a highly experienced mediator and conflict resolution trainer and former lawyer. Michael has conducted hundreds of workplace and family mediations and was the director of a federal government workplace mediation centre. Michael is an Associate Speaker/Trainer with the High Conflict Institute based in San Diego, CA, and regularly delivers workshops on how to manage high conflict personalities. Learn from Michael on how to best deal with strong personalities and high conflict relationships whether it be your client, opposing counsel, or their clients.
