- Words by Lauren Kramer Photography by Lia Crowe

It happens to many Okanagan residents. Introduced to the region as visitors, they fall in love and make the move, smitten with the beauty of BCB次元官网网址檚 wine country. For Judith Charbonneau Kaplan, vice president of advanced wealth planning at Wellington-Altus Private Wealth, thatB次元官网网址檚 precisely how she came to move to Kelowna in 2014.

The Montreal native studied law at LB次元官网网址橴niversit茅 de Montr茅al and received a master of law degree in taxation. She was working as a tax lawyer at a national law firm in Montreal when her boyfriend, now her spouse, coaxed her west.

B次元官网网址淗e took me running on the Kettle Valley Rail Trail and swimming in Okanagan Lake,B次元官网网址� she says, laughing at the memory. B次元官网网址淗ow could I not move here?B次元官网网址�

At Wellington-Altus, the 37-year-old uses her tax law expertise to help ensure her clients are as tax-efficient as possible. That means protecting their assets, assisting with estate planning and helping them understand how to transition their assets in a tax-efficient manner during their lifetimes and after their death.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 passionate about making tax law relevant and accessible to all,B次元官网网址� she admits. B次元官网网址淚 remember being astounded during my first year of law school that what we were learning wasnB次元官网网址檛 something taught to everyone. I think that a basic understanding of the law and our tax system is B次元官网网址榯able stakesB次元官网网址� to smoothly navigating most aspects of our lives. I love taking those intricate rules, identifying how very tangibly they impact an individual, and then utilizing those same rules to bring about the best possible outcome for a client.B次元官网网址�

She works closely with high-net-worth clients to help them establish a wealth plan that is consistent with their needs and life goals.

B次元官网网址淢any people donB次元官网网址檛 have any kind of wealth plan in place and the first step is helping them understand why they need one, regardless of their level of wealth,B次元官网网址� she explains.

B次元官网网址淲e start our wealth-planning discussions with a discovery process, where we ask clients about their assets, liabilities and incomes, but more importantly, about their values, hopes and dreams for themselves, their families and their businesses. By asking hard and sometimes probing questions, we empower clients to think very intentionally about what they want for themselves today and in the years to come. Then, through the wealth planning process, we help them get there.B次元官网网址�

The approach at her firm is very holistic.

B次元官网网址淓verything we do at Wellington-Altus is to serve our clients in the manner that is best for each particular client, and that can look very different from one client to the next,B次元官网网址� she reflects. B次元官网网址淲e have the freedom and support to try things at this firm, which is a very dynamic and entrepreneurial workplace. What I love about working at Wellington-Altus is that everyone here has chosen to be here, and weB次元官网网址檝e chosen it because we are empowered to do whatB次元官网网址檚 right for our clients, always. ItB次元官网网址檚 really energizing.B次元官网网址�

These days, Judith is doing a lot of running around. SheB次元官网网址檚 running after a busy toddler, but sheB次元官网网址檚 also lacing up her running shoes several times a week. In her 25 years as an athlete, sheB次元官网网址檚 completed many marathons and triathlons, and with a front door located five minutes from a trail run, sheB次元官网网址檚 out on trails a few times a week. And when sheB次元官网网址檚 not running, sheB次元官网网址檚 cycling.

But catch her tearing down a trail, she says, and thereB次元官网网址檚 a good chance sheB次元官网网址檚 thinking about tax law.

B次元官网网址淚 love the challenge of it, the fact that you could read the same provision of the tax act every day, and a new fact pattern will force you to view that provision in a new light and bring a different approach to how you solve your clientsB次元官网网址� problems,B次元官网网址� she says.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 never dull and the law is always evolving, so it forces you to be on top of changes to find the best opportunities for clients. The other amazing thing about tax is that it allows me to meet people whoB次元官网网址檝e built up significant wealth and to hear their approaches on life, business, work and wealth. Everyone has a great story with a different trajectory, and itB次元官网网址檚 really fun and fascinating to get to know my clients.B次元官网网址�

Judith is also passionate about literacy and began tutoring adult literacy programs as a student at McGill. Since moving to Kelowna, sheB次元官网网址檚 tutored with Project Literacy, helping students learn English as a second language. B次元官网网址淭he ability to read is critical to oneB次元官网网址檚 day-to-day, but it also opens up new worlds of possibility and adventure,B次元官网网址� she reflects.

B次元官网网址淚 wouldnB次元官网网址檛 be where I am today without having been given the tools for success, and that starts with reading. So IB次元官网网址檝e tried, where I can, to impart that love of learning onto others who havenB次元官网网址檛 had the same opportunities as IB次元官网网址檝e had.B次元官网网址�

Story courtesy of , a Black Press Media publication
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