Cognitive Decline Can Sneak Up on Us Every family has their own version of this story. A parent starts showing signs, forgetting recent conversations, getting confused about finances, making decisions that seem out of character. The kids look at each other and decide they’ll figure out the planning stuff soon. Read more
Where Estate Plans Usually Fall Short There’s a gap in most people’s estate plans, and the frustrating part is that it’s completely avoidable. The even more frustrating part is that when that gap shows up, it’s rarely the person with the incomplete plan who pays the price. It’s the people Read more
When Everything Has to Go What happens when you have to say goodbye to everything you own?“The hardest part of moving abroad wasn’t the paperwork, the flights, or even leaving people behind. It was standing in the living room, looking at years of accumulated life, and deciding what it was Read more
Estate Planning Needs More Than Good Intentions “Hope is not a strategy” is one of those phrases that sticks with you because it’s true. And it’s especially true in estate planning. Most people don’t avoid planning because they’re irresponsible. More often, they avoid it because life is full, the conversation Read more
Okay, you can’t really disinherit the CRA It’s a bit of a cheeky title, I know. You can’t really “disinherit” the CRA. If tax is owing, it’s owing. But you can take steps to reduce unnecessary tax and help ensure more of your estate goes where you intended. That matters, Read more
How Small Decisions Can Shape What Happens Later You’ve probably heard the butterfly effect described as the idea that something tiny, almost insignificant in the moment, can set much larger things in motion down the road. It’s usually used to explain how one small event can change the course of Read more
Trusts for Minors and Vulnerable Beneficiaries Most wills divide assets clearly. Beneficiaries are named. Guardians are appointed. On paper, everything appears settled. But when beneficiaries are minors or financially vulnerable adults, a simple outright inheritance may not provide the protection families assume it will. An 18-year-old may legally receive funds but Read more
Dementia and Capacity: What Families Need to Know When families hear the word dementia, the first reaction is often panic. They assume their parent can’t sign documents anymore. They assume the will is invalid. They assume someone needs to “take over.” But that assumption isn’t actually how the law works. Read more
Probate in Canada: How It Works and Why It Matters Many people feel uneasy when the topic of probate comes up, often because they’re unsure what it actually involves. Some people worry they’re doing something wrong if probate is required. Others assume probate should be avoided at all costs. And Read more
When Families Go “No Contact”: What It Means for Estate Planning In recent months, conversations about family estrangement have become more visible in mainstream media, including a widely discussed discussion hosted by Oprah Winfrey. The idea of going “no contact” with family members has sparked strong reactions. Some see it Read more
