Training Critical for Family Representatives When Loved Ones Become Disabled

Tradition Law, LLP and Knowledge Bureau partner to help Powers of Attorney starting with Attorney School in Manitoba on June 1.

Winnipeg, MB.   In an aging demographic, millions of Canadians may have to handle their mother’s or father’s financial affairs under a Power of Attorney or other legal document over the next decade. Very few people have any training to do so, putting sweeping pools of investable cash and other assets coming under administration by such untrained Powers of Attorney at substantial risk. Now a new “Attorney School” will help novice Attorneys find confidence in their roles with a defined process for success.

Attorney School will be launched in Manitoba on June 1 at the Manitoba Club in a half day workshop which will help Powers of Attorney understand their role better and a process for sound decision-making. The project is a joint venture between the Manitoba-based lawyer and Free Press writer John Poyser’s legal firm, Tradition Law, LLP, and Evelyn Jacks’ Knowledge Bureau, a national educational institute focused on excellence in financial education. Together the firms have access to annual input on changing law in the area from a team of lawyers across Canada. 

“The plan at present is to start Attorney School in Manitoba, then move to Alberta, Ontario, and BC.  At that stage, we will have 70% of the population of Canada covered,” said John Poyser.  “At that time we will launch a website to provide the Attorney School in 8 modules online, making it available to anyone, anytime.”

Evelyn Jacks, President of Knowledge Bureau, added, “We are delighted to partner with John Poyser and Tradition Law, LLP and our sponsor, Scotia Bank, to bring this important information to Canadian families. We will start with Attorney School, and then add workshops and online training modules for Trustees and Personal Representatives including Executors.”

The details of Attorney School, sponsored by Scotia Bank appear below:

PRESENTATION OVERVIEW

I will have to handle my mother’s affairs soon. . .like millions of others I have no training.  I need support and education and possibly resources to draw on when my mom’s time is at end. Where will I turn, how do I begin? How do I know I have everything covered beyond reproach from my siblings?

WHO WILL BENEFIT?  Professional advisors in the tax and financial services will provide lots of additional value to their clients by bringing them to this important workshop, although people without advisors may attend as well. Trust companies will want to bring along their clients to add value and provide awareness of trust services for those who don’t want to do it themselves.

WHY IS THIS TIMELY? We all want to do a good job, but few of us have the training. Attorney School, the Workshop will help you understand your role better; Attorney School, the Online Course, will help you think deeply about your responsibilities and provide you with tactical knowledge and experience to execute your responsibilities.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:   Attorney School, the Workshop, introduces and explains concepts from an eight module online certificate course to provide need-to-know information about:

1. Getting Started                                 30 minutes
2. Bookkeeping                                     30 minutes
3. Investing                                             30 minutes
4. Reporting                                           30 minutes
5. Compensation and Gifts                 30 minutes
6. Problem Solving                               30 minutes
7. “Do’s” – Core Obligations              30 minutes
8. “Don’ts” – Prohibited Actions        30 minutes

Attendees are invited to participate in gaining knowledge and asking questions about their personal concerns. Tax deductible tuition fees of $99 plus taxes will include a Knowledge Journal, muffins and coffee, and instruction from experienced lawyers John Poyser and Cynthia Hiebert-Simkin.

YOUR SPEAKERS:

John Poyser, LL.B

John Poyser is a partner with the law firm Tradition Law LLP, Estates and Trusts in Winnipeg. He is also a partner with The Wealth & Estate Law Group in Calgary. He helps clients in Manitoba, Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia pass wealth from one generation to the next while minimizing taxes and structuring special arrangements to improve the lives of beneficiaries. He also handles estate litigation.

Cynthia Hiebert-Simkin

Cynthia Hiebert-Simkin is a partner with Tradition Law LLP, Estates and Trusts. Called to the Bar in Manitoba in 1993, Cynthia currently practices in the area of Wills, Estate Planning, Estate Administration and also deals with Elder Law issues on a regular basis. Eight years of family law practice gives her particular insight in estate planning issues for second families.