Education
1993, LL.B., University of Victoria
1989, B.A. (Criminology), Simon Fraser University
Bar Admission
1994, British Columbia
Profile
Rick Montens has been practising with the firm's Wealth Preservation Practice Group since joining the firm in 2001. His practice is primarily focused on wealth preservation, estate planning, asset protection, income splitting and tax minimization issues.
Rick assists clients in fulfilling their testamentary objectives and intentions, incorporating wills, powers of attorney, corporate entities, and testamentary and inter vivos trusts in personal estate plans. These tools must be properly structured to be coordinated with the current financial and insurance situations of clients. Rick also provides legal advice to clients on estate and trust administration issues.
Rick has extensive previous experience as a court litigator, dealing with a broad variety of cases. This background perspective enables Rick to give uniquely qualified opinions regarding the legal effectiveness of proposed solutions to anticipated disputes or complications.
Areas of Practice
Wealth Preservation, Estate Planning
Seminars and Publications
• Frequent Presenter, "Legal Affairs, Wills and Estate Matters", Retirement Planning Workshop for UBC Continuing Studies
• Workshop Leader, "The Last Word in Wills Drafting", and "Rest in Peace: Let Thy Client's Will be Done", Continuing Legal Education (CLE), January 2004, and May 2007
• Paper, "Coordinating Inter Vivos Trusts, Joint Tenancies, Bare Trusts, and Insurance in Estate Planning", Continuing Legal Education (CLE) - The Basics of Wills and Estate Planning for Lawyers, October 2006
Professional/Business Affiliations
Member, Law Society of British Columbia
Member, Canadian Bar Association - BC Branch (Wills & Estates Subsection)
Member, Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP)
Pro Bono Volunteer Lawyer for the Western Canada Society To Access Justice (a non-profit society and charitable organization that provides legal assistance to persons who cannot obtain legal aid or otherwise afford a lawyer)