Navigating the Inevitable: Strategies for Dentists to Minimize the Risks of Death & Taxes

About this Seminar

In life, there are two certainties we all face: death and taxes. While we cannot avoid them, we can strategically manage their impact on our lives and finances. This interactive session will offer practical, actionable strategies for dentists to minimize the risks and burdens associated with both. Take control of the inevitable – let’s minimize these risks together.

Key Takeaways:

• Gain insights on the general state of dentistry and trends, including the Canadian Dental Care Plan.


• Make informed decisions about the Lifetime Capital Gains Exemption and learn tactics that can significantly affect the net proceeds when selling your dental practice and inheriting assets and ensure tax-efficient withdrawals during retirement.


• Explore ways to minimize estate taxes through trusts, gifting strategies, and other planning tools to reduce or avoid death taxes.


• Review real-life scenarios illustrating effective tax planning and estate management strategies for dentists.


• Delve deeper and get your questions answered in the live Q&A session.

This presentation aims to empower dentists with knowledge and actionable steps to manage and minimize the risks associated with death and taxes, turning uncertainty into a well-navigated plan.

Speakers + Moderator

• CDSPI Investment Advisor – Dana Scott


• CDSPI Insurance Advisor – Renata Whiteman


• MNP - Robert Dean


• Scotiabank - Kurt Hepditch


• Saunders, Collins & Loeb Law - Melissa Saunders

Presenters

About Dana Scott

MBA, BBA, CFP®

Investment Planning Advisor

As a CFP professional with over 25 years of experience in the investment industry, Dana Scott provides business owners with expert advice in the areas of wealth management, retirement and tax and estate planning. Dana joined CDSPI Advisory Services Inc. in 2016 to offer her services to the dental community.

About Renata Whiteman

BSc

Senior Insurance Advisor

Renata Whiteman is licenced as a Level 2 general insurance broker and as a life and accident and sickness advisor. Renata holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry and has many years' experience as an insurance broker.

Renata has 20+ years of experience at CDSPI Advisory Services Inc. and in her current role as a senior advisor, Renata works with a range of clients, including dental specialists, general dentists, and students, providing insurance and risk management strategies to meet their specific protection needs.

About Robert Dean

CPA, CA, CFP, TEP

Regional Managing Partner, Atlantic Canada

Robert Dean, CPA, CA, CFP, TEP, is a Business Advisor and the Regional Managing Partner for MNP's Atlantic Canada region with MNP in Dartmouth. A member of the Tax Services team, Robert helps owner-managers achieve their business and personal goals by asking unique questions and listening attentively so he can provide customized solutions that deliver results.

Drawing on more than 25 years of experience, Robert assists with tax planning and compliance, compensation planning, succession, the purchase and sale of businesses and corporate reorganization. A trusted advisor, he consults on a wide range of business issues, connecting clients with the firm’s broad-based expertise when it is in their best interests to do so.

Since 2001, Robert has spoken and written about issues and industry trends related to tax strategies, business challenges and succession planning. He understands the pressures and stress that accompany making payroll and takes pride in helping owner-managers create jobs and opportunities for families.

After earning a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Memorial University of Newfoundland, Robert became a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), qualifying as a Chartered Accountant (CA) in 1996. He earned the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation in 1999 and the Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP) designation in 2013 and holds an advanced certificate in family business advising from the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners. Robert has served as a director for First Angel Network and the Halifax Chamber of Commerce.

About Kurt Hepditch

Estate and Trust Consultant - ScotiaTrust

As an Estate and Trust Consultant, Kurt provides specialized guidance and solutions to clients for their Will and estate planning strategies. Whether it’s protecting the financial well-being of your family, providing executor, attorney, and trustee services, or helping to enable your philanthropic aspirations, Kurt can help you create a legacy that lives forever. With over 30 years at Scotiabank, Kurt has held various leadership roles with increasing levels of complexity, leading teams of advisors supporting clients with a wide variety of banking needs. For the past 25 years, Kurt has been focused on developing a motivated workforce, enhancing client and partner experiences, and building strategic relationships. Kurt holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Dalhousie University and the designation of Registered Financial and Retirement Advisor from the Canadian Institute of Financial Planning.

About Melissa Saunders

Lawyer

Saunders, Collins & Loeb Law

Melissa is called to the bar in Newfoundland and Labrador and Ontario and has spent her career practicing exclusively in the area of estates, trust and guardianship law. She began her career at an international Bay Street law firm in Toronto before relocating her practice home to St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. Before founding Saunders Collins & Loeb Law, Melissa worked as an associate as a regional firm and as a partner at an estates and trusts boutique firm.

Melissa represents clients on breach of trust claims, dependant support applications, will challenges, contested passings of accounts, as well as contested power of attorney and guardianship disputes.

Melissa is trusted counsel to various institutional clients, including trust companies, government agencies, charities, as well as individuals. Melissa also has expertise in health law, including mental health law and consent and capacity issues.

Melissa is an active member of the Canadian Bar Association where she sits on the national executive of the Wills, Estates and Trusts section. She is also the Chair of the section for Newfoundland and Labrador. In 2022 Melissa earned her TEP designation and is on the board of STEP Atlantic. She is a member of the Ontario Bar Association as well as the Advocates Society. She regularly presents on topics related to estates, trusts and guardianship in the province and outside.

In 2019, Melissa was co-counsel on A.A. Re, 2019 NLCA 7 before the Newfoundland and Labrador Court of Appeal. This important decision deals with the legislative gap which exists in the province in respect of guardianship of the person. A.A. Re is now the leading case on guardianship of the person in Newfoundland and Labrador. Since AA, Melissa has been involved in advocacy work in the province related to guardianship and the protection of vulnerable persons, including older adults and persons with capacity issues.

Melissa has experience before the Ontario Superior Court, the Federal Court of Canada, the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Court of Appeal of Newfoundland and Labrador. Melissa has been appointed as Amicus Curiae or “friend of the Court” by the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Outside of her practice, Melissa is actively involved in her community, sitting on various Boards, including Business and Arts Newfoundland and Labrador and the Tuckamore Chamber Music Festival.

Prior to her legal career, Melissa was an accomplished classical pianist. In her spare time, you can find Melissa at the piano, often sharing her love of classical music with her young son.