Beneficiary Designations vs. Your Will Most people assume their will controls everything. It makes sense. You meet with a lawyer, you sign the document, and you’ve clearly said who gets what. Done. But there’s another part of estate planning that sits outside the will and can change the outcome: beneficiary Read more
The Worst Estate Planning Advice of All Time In recent years, I’ve heard some of the worst estate planning advice that people have been given. Because estate planning can feel complicated, people often latch onto simple-sounding advice. Unfortunately, “simple” doesn’t always mean good. In fact, some of the worst estate Read more
DIY Estate Planning: Why “Doing It Yourself” Isn’t Always the Smartest Move I certainly understand the appeal of DIY estate planning. With online templates, how-to videos, and fill-in-the-blank legal forms, it can seem like a cost-effective, efficient way to get your affairs in order. After all, why pay for professional Read more
When Planning Isn’t Enough: How to Avoid Estate Settlement Delays and Problems Estate settlement delays can happen even when you have a will, powers of attorney, and all the right documents in place. You may feel relieved knowing your affairs are “handled,” but even the most thorough planning can still Read more
The Emotional Side of Estate Planning: Avoidance Costs More Than Action Addressing the emotional side of estate planning is often the biggest reason people delay making a plan; not the cost, not the time, but the feelings it brings to the surface. We’d rather not talk about death or incapacity. Read more
When There’s No One Left, Who Handles Your Estate? Estate planning often assumes you have someone — a trusted friend, a sibling, a niece, even a capable neighbour — who can step into the role of executor when you pass away. But what if there’s no one left to take Read more
These 3 Estate Planning Mistakes Could Cost Your Family Let’s face it—estate planning isn’t usually dinner party conversation. It can seem overwhelming, uncomfortable, and often gets put off to something you’ll get to “someday.” But none of us can predict what tomorrow will bring, and postponing the work or making Read more
5 Totally Valid Reasons You Don’t Need a Will (Said No One Ever) …with one bonus reason that really matters. You’ve probably heard it before: “You really should make a will.” But maybe you’re different. Maybe you like to live on the edge—tempting fate and family feuds. If so, this Read more
What You Need To Know If You’re Living Solo Thoughtful planning for those navigating life independently Living without a spouse, children, or nearby family is increasingly common, but that doesn’t mean you have to navigate the future alone. In fact, people who are living solo often benefit the most from Read more
Letters That Outlive You: Why a Legacy Letter Still Matters How a Simple, Heartfelt Legacy Letter Can Leave a Lasting Impact on Those You Love If you’ve ever wondered how you’ll be remembered, a legacy letter is one of the most heartfelt and lasting ways to share your personal message Read more
