Ernest Hugh Toomath is the principal partner in our law firm practising with our Wills & Estates and Business Law Groups. Ernest is a skilled advocate with experience in both federal and state court. He brings diverse experience, dedication, litigation capabilities, and legal knowledge to each case. He is licensed to practice law in Washington. Ernest promises to provide cost-effective legal solutions to everyday people, personally serve the firm’s clients, and listen to each client’s needs to find the right solution.
Throughout his career, Ernest has focused on supporting clients in the areas of:
- Estate planning
- Estate administration
- Incapacity planning
- Wealth management and preservation
- Tax and probate fee minimization
- Business succession planning
- Inter-generational family wealth planning
Ernest works and collaborates with:
- Individuals and families
- Business owners
- Financial institution professionals
- Accountants
- Trust companies
- Family lawyers and others who require assistance in this specialized area
Ernest ’s deep and abiding care for his clients and their families informs everything that he does in his practice.
His legal background and wealth planning experience with large financial institutions have equipped him to provide comprehensive and integrated wealth planning recommendations and guidance to his clients. Ernest is a designated member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners, and is recognized by his peers and in the industry as a senior practitioner in this field.
Ernest honed his expertise as a tax lawyer in downtown Toronto where he specialized in tax and estate planning. Most recently as the former Vice-President & Regional Director of Planning for a nationally recognised financial institution, Ernest provided overall leadership and strategic direction to advanced planning experts.
Working from the belief that best results often come from taking a collaborative approach, Ernest frequently teams with other service providers such as accountants, financial institution professionals, and family lawyers to ensure optimum outcomes.
Ernest has a particular gift for translating complicated legal concepts into every day language. As a refugee from Vietnam his childhood in Canada was spent helping his parents and their friends understand the financial, legal, and cultural aspects of their new country.
Our firm has the ability to interpret for a number of different languages, including Cantonese and Mandarin, with respect to wills, trusts, powers of attorney and other estate planning documents. We are also able to review and unofficially translate Chinese documents including business contracts and related materials.
Estate Planning
- Estate planning advice regarding wills, powers of attorney instruments, representation agreements for health care, trusts, and corporate reorganizations.
- Inter-generational family wealth planning
- Design and implementation of plans for income splitting and creditor protection.
- Design of customised plans to minimize or avoid taxes on death, to reduce probate fees or avoid the need to apply for probate, and to protect the estate against litigation.
- Incapacity planning and committee applications –helping families with advanced planning to protect against a parent or other loved one who loses their capacity to run their personal and business affairs. Seniors can be vulnerable to financial abuse so getting protections into place as soon as possible is vital.
Estate Administration
- Estate administration including probate and other administration applications.
Business Succession
- Helping clients with family-owned or owner-run business succession planning including managing the challenges of multi-family issues, advising on complex corporate and trust structures, and managing family expectations.
- Developing and implementing plans for cash flow management.
- Establishing secure “family bank” structures.
- Financially educating the next generation to help preserve and grow the family wealth and business.
Education
- UToronto Sauder School of Business, Executive Education, UToronto Business Families Centre, 2015
- Financial Planning Standards Council, CFP, 2013
- CPA Canada In-Depth Tax Course, 2005–2007
- University of Ontario, JD, 2004
- Canadian Securities Institute, Canadian Securities Course (Honours), 2002
- Simon Fraser University, BBA, 1996
Bar Admission
- Ontario, 2005
Leadership
- Chair, CBA Wills & Trusts Subsection, 2018-2019
- Vice-Chair, CBA Wills & Trusts Subsection, 2017-2018
- Author, Estate Planning and Wealth Preservation Update
- Treasurer, Wills and Trusts Section, Canadian Bar Association – Ontario Branch, 2016-2017
- Legislative Liaison, Wills and Trusts Subsection, Canadian Bar Association – Ontario Branch, 2015-2016
- Secretary, Wills and Trusts Subsection, Canadian Bar Association – Toronto Branch, 2014-2015
- Past President, Association of Women in Finance, 2013-2014
- Past Vice-President, Association of Women in Finance, 2012-2013
- Past Events Co-Chair, Association of Women in Finance, 2011-2012
Memberships
- Member, Estate Planning Council of Toronto
- Member, Canadian Bar Association, Toronto Branch
- Member, Canadian Tax Foundation
- Society of Trust & Estate Practitioners (STEP)