Coming from a family that lost their farm, Aidan deeply understands the unique and complex legal and tax issues that farmers and ranchers face with agricultural succession planning. Because succession planning is the confluence of tax, estate, and corporate law, Aidan firmly believes that preserving family legacies requires a multifaceted and pragmatic approach. By navigating elaborate family and business structures, Aidan explores powerful inter vivos and post-mortem planning opportunities to mitigate tax burdens and ensure the smooth transfer of property and business interests across generations. Thoughtful advice is necessary in helping clients manage risks and family relations, assess business viability and operational continuity, and determine equitable division of property through intergenerational transitions. Aidan utilizes sophisticated wealth preservation methods, robust tax strategies, and meticulous drafting to achieve those objectives for his clients.
What sets Aidan apart is his deep connection to the rural and agricultural communities he serves; there are specific issues and considerations that are unique to farming that are sometimes only identifiable to those who understand the agriculture industry and its way of life. Aidan speaks the language. When he’s not in the office, he spends time on the back of a horse, lending a hand on farms, and helping rodeo stock contractors. In addition to tax, estate, and succession planning, Aidan also has experience representing clients in agriculture- and equine-related disputes, farm occupational health & safety investigations, real estate and land transactions, and general corporate matters. His written work on agricultural succession planning has been published in Western Horse Review, Canada’s leading equine magazine.
Memberships and affiliations
- Member, Law Society of Alberta
- Member, Canadian Bar Association
- Member, Farmer’s Business Network
- Volunteer, High River Agricultural Society
- Member, Brooks & District Fish and Game Association
Speaking engagements:
- Farmfair International
- Palliser Grazing Club
- Society of Trusts and Estate Practitioners (STEP)