Carol Bezaire

Carol Bezaire , PFPC, TEP, CLU, is the vice-president of tax and estate planning at Mackenzie Investments. Carol can be contacted at: cbezaire@mackenzieinvestments.com

Estate Planning

Informal trust accounts: How they do and don’t work

Understand the potential benefits and pitfalls for your client

By Carol Bezaire |June 19, 2018

5 min read

Tax Strategies

Commute this pension or not? Part 2

How a change in client circumstances changes the answer.

By Carol Bezaire |February 3, 2017

2 min read

Products

Tax and ETFs: what you need to know

ETFs have unique taxation aspects when they’re held in non-registered accounts

By Carol Bezaire |August 10, 2016

4 min read

Tax Strategies

2 things to watch with RDSPs

As more advisors are assisting families to open these plans, be aware of two specific points.

By Carol Bezaire |January 7, 2013

3 min read

Estate Planning

Tips for giving inheritances to disabled children

If a disabled client receives an inheritance, it can interfere with federal and provincial social assistance benefits. So you must do special planning to prevent any erosion of benefits, while allowing assets to build for the future.

By Carol Bezaire |July 5, 2012

4 min read

Estate Planning

Do you know how to use in-trust accounts?

Points to think about when discussing ITFs with your clients

By Carol Bezaire |February 13, 2012

5 min read

Tax Strategies

Dealing with mental incapacity

As advisors, you are probably meeting next generation relatives of your long-term clients. These new contacts may play an important role in your continued relationship with your client, as the client’s “representative” (the attorney appointed by a “Power of Attorney” in most provinces, or the mandatory appointed by a “Mandate in anticipation of Incapacity” in Quebec) for financial and legal matters if your client becomes mentally incapable.

By Carol Bezaire |July 26, 2011

4 min read

Tax Strategies

Better family inheritance planning

As an advisor, you may run into situations with your clients wherein their estate plans may be challenged by beneficiaries who feel they were not awarded their "fair" share of inheritance. The increased complexity of today’s society (blended families, individual financial arrangements, etc) requires well-documented estate plans.

By Carol Bezaire |March 21, 2011

4 min read

Tax Strategies

The new CPP changes

January 1, 2011 will see the first of a number of changes impacting how clients (and advisors) incorporate Canada Pension Plan (“CPP”) retirement benefits into their financial plans. These changes will become effective between 2011 and 2016. Clients who are thinking about retirement need to be informed of the new rules. The benefits will differ depending on client age and earnings history, as well as their ability or desire to work past the age of 60.

By Carol Bezaire |December 7, 2010

4 min read