For many BC business owners, the business is more than an asset – it’s decades of effort and, often, a family legacy. But a rushed, reactive sale can erode value, while planning ahead helps you control timing, achieve a better tax outcome, and avoid last-minute due diligence problems that weaken your negotiating position.

Having a will is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your loved ones and ensure your wishes are respected.

When a business deal goes sideways, it’s tempting to argue that “everyone understood” what was meant, or that past behaviour should count for something. In British Columbia, where contract language is clear, that argument rarely succeeds. Canadian courts, including BC courts, are generally consistent on one principle: if you signed it, the words in the agreement govern.