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About

The reality is that each year, thousands of Canadians die without a will, leaving the law to settle their estates without direction from the deceased. Without a will, the value of the deceased’s estate may be unnecessarily decreased due to legal and court costs and other expenses. As an advisor, you must understand how to talk to clients about some very sensitive issues. You must help your clients look at all the ramifications and educate them on the various wealth transfer tools and techniques that can benefit them and their loved ones. This course focuses on personal risk management as part of a fully integrated wealth management plan. The course also focuses on the issues that clients should discuss with their families regarding the transfer of wealth, either before or after death. You will also learn about the different types of trusts and their specific role in estate planning. Within the course, you will also learn about will planning under Canadian law, the probate process, and strategies that clients can use to reduce the costs associated with probate.

The course is one of seven within the Advanced Mutual Fund Advice (AMFA) program, which is the learning path required to obtain the Certificate in Mutual Fund Advice. It is also part of the education required for the Personal Financial Planner (PFP®) and Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) designations.

What skills will you develop?

The Estate Planning (ESPL) course is designed to help you confidently deliver the right advice to your clients based on their individual needs. Completing this course will also help you:

  • Strengthen your understanding of different types of trusts and their specific roles
  • Learn how to create a personal risk management plan that can be used throughout the client’s life cycle
  • Master the three-stage approach to handling client discussions and dealing with potential family conflicts during the family conference
  • Deepen your knowledge of strategies clients can use to reduce the costs associated with the probate process and potential probate fees

Who should enrol?

This course is designed for mutual fund advisors who want to build flexibility into their financial planning careers. It is suitable for entry-level professionals who may already have their mutual fund licence, including both junior mutual fund dealing representatives and more senior reps who want to transition from a transaction-based business to one that is focused on providing financial advice.