What is a TEP?

Mirjana is one of the few Advisors with a TEP designation. TEP stands for Trust and Estate Practitioner. It is the designation given to full members of STEP—the worldwide professional association for those advising families across generations. STEP membership is diverse and highly specialized, with accredited professionals from all facets of the Trust and Estate Planning industries, including legal, accountancy, corporate, trust, banking and insurance.

What Do TEPs Do?

As specialists in inheritance and succession planning, TEPs work with families and their legal team to best structure their finances to ensure compliance and preserve their assets for future generations.

Some examples of what TEPs may advise on are:

  • Providing for an individual following their partner’s death, while protecting the interests of their children
  • Ensuring elderly or vulnerable relatives are cared for and supported
  • Ensuring that a family business will pass safely from one generation to another
  • Helping clients to support charitable causes in an effective way.

Blended families are increasingly the norm today, with couples remarrying and bringing children into new relationships. Estate planning is especially critical in such situations, or children can end up disinherited.

Why Choose a Professional with a TEP Designation?

Choosing a professional to help you to deal with such important and often sensitive issues can be difficult. Many aspects of planning are non-regulated, meaning anyone can write a will, for example, regardless of training or expertise. With a TEP, you’re in safe hands, as we work with your legal team to ensure you have the best advice possible.

Expertise

TEPs are recognized experts in their field, with proven qualifications and experience.

Integrity

TEPs are subject to an extensive Code of Professional Conduct, requiring them at all times to act with integrity and in a manner that inspires the confidence, respect and trust of their clients and of the wider community.

Knowledge

TEPs are required to maintain and develop the knowledge and skills relevant to their role as a condition of their continued membership. This means TEPs will always be up-to-date with the latest legal, technical and regulatory developments that may affect you and your situation.

Connections

2,400 Canadian TEPs have access to a global network of 19,500 advisors and professionals, enabling them to share knowledge and expertise across professional and geographical boundaries and to offer a joined-up service that can really add value to you as a client.