Foundations of Estates

KNOWLEDGE EXPECTED OF: QAFP® Professionals

Highest Knowledge Level: Awareness


Knowledge Levels and Associated Verbs


Awareness
The state of being aware that something exists / to have familiarity with a particular activity or subject
Understanding
To comprehend the general relationship of particulars / to have an expertise with how something works
Application
Ability to put information to use / to use knowledge for relevant, practical purposes
Evaluation
To judge or conclude by utilizing data / a systematic determination of something’s worth or significance
Define
To state exactly the meaning of
Identify
To be aware of / to recognize and correctly name / to locate an appropriate resource
Explain
To make clear the meaning of / to describe something in more detail or reveal relevant facts or ideas related to it
Determine
To ascertain / to come to a decision, such as by investigation or reasoning
Compare
To note the similarities and differences between two or more things
Estimate
To determine an approximate value for
Calculate
To find the value using mathematics
Convert
To change from one form or purpose to another
Evaluate
To reach a conclusion or make a through careful study
Interpret
To give the meaning of / to construe or understand / to translate orally

Hold cursor over or click on each term to read its definition.

  • Identify key trends currently affecting estate advice, such as:
    • Changing family circumstances
    • Increase in size and complexity of estates
    • Increase in number of individuals with assets across multiple jurisdictions
    • Cross-border considerations
  • Identify roadblocks to seeking out estate advice, such as:
    • Fear of mortality
    • Procrastination
    • Cost
    • Personal
    • Cultural attitudes
    • Choices
  • Identify the level of government that is responsible for estate administration, estate succession, and laws related to wills and powers of attorney. 
  • Define an estate.
  • Define time horizons associated with planning for an estate, such as:
    • Time until death
    • Time from death until assets are distributed and a clearance certificate from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has been received
  • Identify objectives of estate advice, such as:
    • Management of current income taxes
    • Management of taxes at death
    • Efficient transition of assets and income to heirs
    • Providing for obligations to dependents
    • Payment of liabilities and final expenses at death
    • Minimizing disputes between heirs
  • Identify factors that may affect an estate, such as:
    • Value of assets at death
    • Value of liabilities at death
    • Liquidity of assets
    • Ownership of assets
    • Location of assets (within province of residency, external to Canada)
    • Testator’s wishes
    • Existence of heirs
    • Needs / circumstances of heirs
    • Location of assets and heirs
    • Exposure of assets to creditors
    • Marginal tax rates of testators, heirs and trusts
    • Family dynamics
    • Life expectancy
    • Personal attitudes

KNOWLEDGE EXPECTED OF: CFP® Professionals

Highest Knowledge Level: Understanding


Knowledge Levels and Associated Verbs


Awareness
The state of being aware that something exists / to have familiarity with a particular activity or subject
Understanding
To comprehend the general relationship of particulars / to have an expertise with how something works
Application
Ability to put information to use / to use knowledge for relevant, practical purposes
Evaluation
To judge or conclude by utilizing data / a systematic determination of something’s worth or significance
Define
To state exactly the meaning of
Identify
To be aware of / to recognize and correctly name / to locate an appropriate resource
Explain
To make clear the meaning of / to describe something in more detail or reveal relevant facts or ideas related to it
Determine
To ascertain / to come to a decision, such as by investigation or reasoning
Compare
To note the similarities and differences between two or more things
Estimate
To determine an approximate value for
Calculate
To find the value using mathematics
Convert
To change from one form or purpose to another
Evaluate
To reach a conclusion or make a through careful study
Interpret
To give the meaning of / to construe or understand / to translate orally

Hold cursor over or click on each term to read its definition.

  • Identify key trends currently affecting estate advice, such as:
    • Changing family circumstances
    • Increase in size and complexity of estates
    • Increase in number of individuals with assets across multiple jurisdictions
    • Cross-border considerations
  • Identify roadblocks to seeking out estate advice, such as:
    • Fear of mortality
    • Procrastination
    • Cost
    • Personal
    • Cultural attitudes
    • Choices
  • Identify the level of government that is responsible for estate administration, estate succession, and laws related to wills and powers of attorney. 
  • Define an estate.
  • Define time horizons associated with planning for an estate, such as:
    • Time until death
    • Time from death until assets are distributed and a clearance certificate from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has been received
  • Explain objectives of estate advice, such as:
    • Management of current income taxes
    • Management of taxes at death
    • Efficient transition of assets and income to heirs
    • Providing for obligations to dependents
    • Payment of liabilities and final expenses at death
    • Minimizing disputes between heirs
  • Explain factors that may affect an estate, such as:
    • Value of assets at death
    • Value of liabilities at death
    • Liquidity of assets
    • Ownership of assets
    • Location of assets (within province of residency, external to Canada)
    • Testator’s wishes
    • Existence of heirs
    • Needs / circumstances of heirs
    • Location of assets and heirs
    • Exposure of assets to creditors
    • Marginal tax rates of testators, heirs and trusts
    • Family dynamics
    • Life expectancy
    • Personal attitudes 

Additional Knowledge Expected of CFP Professionals
  • Explain factors that may affect an estate, such as:
    • Business interests
    • Estate freeze