Estate Planning: By Design or By Disaster? Estate planning is something most of us know we should do, yet many avoid. Some think it only matters at the very end of life, while others feel it’s too complicated to tackle now. The truth is, estate planning isn’t just about death; Read more
Good Grief: Estate Planning That Eases the Burden “Good grief!” It’s an expression we’ve all heard: a mix of frustration and disbelief, usually uttered when something feels more complicated than it should be. But what if we reframe the phrase? What if good grief could describe something more compassionate? Grief Read more
The Difference Between a Will and Estate Planning Many people assume estate planning vs will is the same conversation. After all, a will is often the first (and sometimes only) document people think of when preparing for the future. But here’s the truth: a will, while essential, is only one Read more
Executor Survival Kit: You’ve Been Named. Now What? So… you’ve just found out you’ve been named executor. Maybe you expected it. Maybe it came out of left field. Either way, it’s official. You’re now the person responsible for settling someone’s estate. And while most people assume this is just a 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
