LAW660
Estate Planning
(Koski)
Prerequisite courses: LAW504 (Taxation)
Prerequisite for: None
Instructor(s): David Koski
Course credit: 3
Method of presentation: Lecture
Teamwork: No
METHOD OF EVALUATION
Your final grade for the course will be based on the following components:
Mid-term Exam 30%
Final Exam 70%
While I encourage your attendance and participation in class, it will not be graded.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course will introduce students to some fundamentals of estate planning practice. Estate planning fundamentals are found both in statutes and in case law. General parameters will be reviewed to identify issues of potential concern to particular individuals and to illustrate the potential consequences of failure to plan. We will then review some specific estate planning strategies that individuals use to achieve specific objectives.
This course will also introduce students to some basic tax planning principles—how to (legally) avoid paying tax; how to defer paying tax; and how to reduce tax you pay by splitting income family members with an emphasis registered plans offered under the Income Tax Act and commonly used by individuals—Tax Free Savings Accounts (TFSAs), Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs), First Home Savings Accounts (FHSAs), Registered Education Savings Plans (RESPs) and Registered Disability Savings Plans (RDSPs).
SPECIAL COMMENTS
Description updated 2026-27. Please contact the instructor for any specific questions you may have related to this particular course section.
REQUIRED TEXTS (IF ANY)
Income Tax Act (Canada) Each of you should already have a copy of the Income Tax Act (Canada) from the introductory Taxation course.