cheers to change: knowing your limits
January 21, 2026 @ 1:00 PM
Category B - 1 cec

Session Summary:

In Canada, approximately 80% of adults of legal drinking age consume alcohol, making it a significant part of our culture and lifestyle. Yet, younger generations are choosing to drink less, embracing a ‘sober curious’ lifestyle. Understanding both the positive and negative effects of alcohol is vital for making informed choices that promote overall health and well-being. Learn effective strategies to prepare your body for drinking, encourage conversations about alcohol consumption by knowing your limits and creating actionable goals to reduce alcohol consumption- or eliminate it altogether.

Presenter: Dr Melanie Craig, ND 

Dr. Craig is a licensed and Ontario Board certified Naturopathic Doctor. Prior to obtaining her degree in Naturopathic Medicine from the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine, she completed her Bachelor of Kinesiology degree at The University of Calgary. Growing up as a competitive athlete in both gymnastics and track & field, she has always been driven to pursue a career in health and wellness. Melanie has a special interest in helping people optimize their hormonal health, and enjoys helping to find a realistic balance in all aspects of foundational health including nutrition, exercise, sleep and stress management.

estate planning for funeral home owners -
Ensuring a Smooth Transition and Continuity
January 28, 2026 @ 1:00 PM
Category a - 1 cec

Session Summary:

This session explains why funeral home owners need a more specialized estate plan than most business owners: because operations, client care, records, and prepaid funds are regulated and time-sensitive. We will cover what probate is, how probate delays can disrupt continuity, how a multiple-wills strategy can reduce delay and costs (where appropriate), and how a well-drafted continuity plan can empower a Trustee to act while engaging a licensed “colleague” for duties the Trustee can’t legally perform. The goal is a compliant, orderly transition that protects clients and preserves business value.

Key Takeaways

• Probate can slow down critical business decisions, so planning should anticipate timing and authority issues.
• Multiple wills may reduce probate delay and costs by separating assets that typically require probate from those that may not (case-by-case).
• Business continuity after death must be compliance-first: notify the BAO, secure records, and engage a properly licensed individual for regulated duties.
• Prepaid contracts and trust/insurance-funded monies are high-risk areas: client notices, cancellation/transfer rights, and BAO requirements must be followed strictly.
• A good plan protects both clients and business value, creating a clear path to temporary operation, and then an orderly sale, transfer, or wind-up.

Presenter: Raluca Maria Soica (CPA, JD) 
is a Toronto lawyer and the founder of RMS Estates Law, practicing in estate planning and estate administration (probate), as well as real estate. With a background as a Chartered Professional Accountant, she brings a seasoned, practical legal-and-financial lens to helping business owners plan for incapacity and death, and to guiding executors through estates after a loss. Raluca has an established practice and significant experience advising on everything from straightforward wills and powers of attorney to more complex, multi-layered estate plans, including strategies designed to reduce delay and protect business value. She also services estates from start to finish (probate, executor guidance, asset transfers, creditor and beneficiary issues, and final distribution) supporting clients through both simple probate matters and more complex administrations.