A 2017 Angus Reid poll found that roughly half of all Canadians don’t have a will.[1] There are any number of reasons – ahem, excuses – for this: they don’t like to think about dying; they’re too young; they have no assets. And nearly 1 in 5 Canadians doesn’t...
It’s simple to put together a will. Anyone can scribble down their wishes on the back of a napkin, sign it, and put it away in the filing cabinet for later. What’s more complicated is making a proper, well thought out plan. You likely have more assets than you’re aware...
According to recent data from Statistics Canada[1], more and more Canadians are living in common law relationships, either prior to choosing marriage or as a more permanent arrangement. And an Angus Reid poll found that more than half of Canadians simply feel that marriage isn’t necessary.[2] Today, people choose to live in...
Choosing the right executor can be challenging under certain circumstances, but in some cases it may be a bad idea. Your estate may be complicated, or maybe your beneficiaries don’t get along. Whatever the reason, it’s critical that your executor be able to take care of the administration...
Less than one quarter of Canadians under 35 has a will.[1] This is especially shocking, considering that it is during these years that young professionals begin to get married, have children and buy property. Often the problem is that planning an estate seems daunting. Despite that, it’s important to...
After a lifetime of working and saving, most Canadians want to pass something along to the next generation. Those who have planned carefully have likely taken steps to protect their wealth and their assets even after their death. Others have not. Either way, it’s important...
Acting as an executor is serious business. The job can last a long time, but you’ll have to make sure you cover each step carefully and thoroughly. All the details are important. Staying organized with a checklist is one of the best ways to stay...
Just one or two generations ago, an executor would unearth financial information from overflowing filing cabinets in the basement or the attic of the deceased. Today, that information is more likely to be found on a laptop or a smartphone than in a filing cabinet. If...
For some, the term “estate planning” is enough to send shivers of anxiety down their spine. For others, the natural response is to go into fight-or-flight mode. But estate planning doesn’t have to be scary or stressful. It doesn’t need to be complicated. Get started...
One of the executor’s core duties is filing the final tax return. Even for those who regularly do their own taxes, that final return may not be as simple as filling in the boxes in an online tax return program. The executor is ultimately responsible for...