Beneficiary designations are a way for testators to make major changes to their estate with minimum effort.  Although they’re often forgotten by testators, the beneficiary designations on things like RRSPs,…

When it comes to your will, clarity is key for those with complex family arrangements.  Canadian society has moved well beyond the “nuclear family” ideal. Few people would bat an eyelid…

A Do-it-yourself will may save you some money now, but it will probably cost your beneficiaries later.  The problem for testators who go it alone without the benefit of legal…

A recent fall in life expectancy rates is a reminder that you’re never too young to make a will.   Between 2020 and 2022, the life expectancy of the average North…

Don’t forget your pooch when planning your estate.  Many families regard their pets as full members, but only a small minority reflect this fact in their wills. In one recent case,…

Testators should document their intentions when they set up joint bank accounts if they want to avoid a future estate battle over the funds.   There are good estate planning reasons for…

Testators need to get specific if they want their will to revoke their beneficiary designations, according to Ontario’s Court of Appeal.  In a recent decision involving a dispute among a deceased…

Advance care planning can help people break the silence around end-of-life care.   While societal attitudes towards sex and money have relaxed in the last few decades, there’s an argument to be…

Making a will could be good for your mental health. A recent survey found almost half of people who made wills felt “peaceful” after completing the process, while others reported…