You’ve worked hard to build your wealth. And through your hard work? You’ve earned you the life you’ve built. But creating wealth is only half the battle. Ensuring it moves smoothly to the next generation—without excessive taxes, family disputes, or mismanagement—is where the real challenge lies.
At Scepanovic & Associates, we specialize in wealth transfer and wealth preservation strategies designed to safeguard your assets, reduce tax burdens, and provide financial clarity for your family. We ensure that your legacy continues as you intend—structured, secure, and sustainable for generations to come.
The Great Wealth Shift: are you ready?
In the coming decades, trillions of dollars will shift from one generation to the next. Yet studies show most families aren’t prepared for this transfer. Without careful planning, wealth can erode through excessive taxation, probate fees, and legal missteps. Family tensions or poor financial decisions can further jeopardize what you’ve worked so hard to build.
We help families prevent those risks with clear, structured plans that ensure your wealth is not only transferred—but preserved. Our strategies are designed to protect your assets, minimize taxes, and create a smooth financial handoff.
Family conversations: creating clarity and confidence
Talking about money can feel uncomfortable, especially when it comes to inheritance. But avoiding these conversations often leads to confusion, tension, and financial mistakes. We facilitate productive, future-focused discussions that prepare your family to manage wealth responsibly.
What we focus on:
- Distribution with intention: Equal isn’t always fair. We help you design a wealth transfer plan that aligns with your family’s unique dynamics and values.
- Wealth that lasts: Whether through trusts, structured payouts, or investment strategies, we build solutions that protect your heirs from mismanaging wealth while empowering them to succeed.
- Your values, not just your assets: Money may be what’s passed down, but your values are what truly last. We help you craft a plan that reflects what matters most to you.
A will isn’t a plan—it’s a starting point
A will alone won’t guarantee a smooth wealth transfer. Without the right strategies in place, your estate could face costly legal fees, excessive taxes, and avoidable delays. We help you create a complete wealth transfer plan that covers:
- Estate planning: Ensuring your wealth moves efficiently to your beneficiaries while minimizing probate fees and taxes.
- Insurance solutions: Life insurance strategies designed to provide liquidity for tax obligations, protecting your family’s financial stability.
- Trusts & tax efficiency: By establishing trusts and using other legal tools, we structure your wealth to reduce tax burdens and ensure assets remain protected.
Your business: the heart of your wealth
For many, the family business is more than just a source of income—it’s the foundation of their financial legacy. But without a clear succession plan, business wealth can be vulnerable during a transition.
We help business owners prepare for a smooth and successful transfer by:
- Developing succession plans: Preparing the next generation of leadership, setting clear expectations, and structuring ownership transitions long before they become urgent.
- Maximizing business value: Ensuring your company’s financials are optimized for a strong valuation when it’s time to sell or transition.
- Smart tax planning: Structuring your business to minimize capital gains taxes and other costly surprises.
- Continuity planning: Ensuring employees, clients, and stakeholders experience minimal disruption during the transition.
Wealth preservation: keeping more of what you built
The biggest threat to your financial legacy? Taxes. Without proactive planning, the Canada Revenue Agency could claim a significant portion of your estate before it reaches your family. We focus on minimizing these risks with strategies that:
- Reduce tax exposure: Through smart withdrawals, income splitting, and strategic tax credits, we ensure your wealth is positioned to thrive.
- Protect your estate: We use insurance strategies designed to offset taxes and provide liquidity when your family needs it most.
- Preserve generational wealth: By structuring your investments and assets with foresight, we help your wealth endure for generations to come.
Preparing the next generation to protect wealth
Transferring wealth is one thing—preparing heirs to manage it is another. Without guidance, even substantial wealth can dwindle quickly. We focus on ensuring your heirs are informed, prepared, and equipped to sustain their inheritance responsibly.
Our approach includes:
- Financial education: Equipping your children and grandchildren with the knowledge and skills to make sound financial decisions.
- Strategic gifting: Providing smaller, structured gifts as a way to introduce financial responsibility before a full inheritance arrives.
- Ongoing support: We offer continued guidance to help heirs make wise investment decisions, manage taxes, and preserve the family’s financial stability.