The holiday season is upon us, and with it comes family gatherings, buying and wrapping gifts, and travel. Suffice to say, it can be a hectic and busy time. Nonetheless, with 2018 on the horizon, many of us take the time to reflect and set resolutions for the upcoming year. Despite this, so many Canadians do not have a Will.
Why not? Estate planning need not be trying, and the holiday season is a perfect time to start considering your estate plan.
With this in mind, I thought I would highlight an article from the Globe and Mail which does a great job of highlighting issues to get you thinking about your estate plan:
- Get started – make a detailed list of your assets, liabilities, and joint assets, and think about your family’s needs and lifestyle.
- Consider your options – do you want your bequests to be absolute, subject to the terms of a trust, or gifted during your lifetime?
- Appoint representatives – think about who you trust to administer your estate and ensure that they are up for the job.
- Special circumstances – are there any beneficiaries who have special circumstances such as those receiving ODSP, that would benefit from specific trusts?
- Taxation – meet with a professional to understand tax consequences and the vehicles available to limit the payment of taxes, including the use of joint ownership and estate freezes.
- Cottages – should your estate involve the cherished family cottage, think about whether you want it sold, or shared amongst family members. If the latter, think about preparing a co-ownership agreement.
Wishing all of our readers a happy New Year!
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