Close Close
Popular Financial Topics Discover relevant content from across the suite of ALM legal publications From the Industry More content from ThinkAdvisor and select sponsors Investment Advisor Issue Gallery Read digital editions of Investment Advisor Magazine Tax Facts Get clear, current, and reliable answers to pressing tax questions
Luminaries Awards
ThinkAdvisor

Financial Planning > Trusts and Estates > Estate Planning

BMO survey: most Canadians will hold children’s inheritance in trust

X
Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.

More than two-thirds of Canadians say their children’s inheritance will be held in trust until the children reach a certain age, with one-third placing that age between 22 and 30, according to new research.

BMO Harris Private Banking, Toronto, published this finding in a summary of results from an estate planning study that examines Canadians’ intentions and expectations for their wills.

The study reveals that more than half of Canadians (56%) have a will and that an average of 85% of the wealth of Canadians with a will remain in the family:

60% of assets are designated to children.

25% of the assets will go to other family members.

3% will go to friends and charities, respectively.

“These results reflect the strength of the family unit in Canada,” says Sara Plant, vice president and national director, BMO Harris Private Banking. “It’s clear that Canadians are looking beyond having enough funds for their lifetime. They place great importance on leaving a legacy and planning financially for their family’s future.”

Among parents whose children are in their will, the study also finds that:

More than half of children (53%) will receive their inheritance in one lump sum

Almost a third of children know they are included in their parents’ will but don’t know what they’ll receive.

17% are not aware that they are in the will.

60% of Canadians without a will intend to draft one.

More than one-third cite “a general need to plan for the future” as a reason to draft their will.

48% of Canadians have assets held in ‘joint ownership’ as part of their estate planning strategy.


NOT FOR REPRINT

© 2024 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.