You are more experienced now, your bank account is larger, and it is easier to think further ahead.
Let's face it—your death will create challenges for your loved ones. These challenges will fall into three main categories: emotional, legal, and financial. The good news? You have the power to minimize these issues. The bad news? If you want to make things worse, you can follow the "how not to" approach outlined below.
Of course, this is tongue-in-cheek, but let's explore what not to do when planning your estate.
Want to cause extra emotional turmoil after your death? It's easy! Start by leaving your affairs in total disarray. Don't bother making a will, or better yet, hide it so no one can find it. Add a touch of intrigue by opening secret bank accounts and investments that no one knows about.
Keep your financial records scattered across various drawers, boxes, and cabinets. Don't bother keeping a written list of your assets or debts; just rely on your memory. After all, you'll live forever, right?
If creating emotional havoc isn't enough, why not throw some legal issues into the mix? Destroy important legal documents or, even better, avoid creating them in the first place.
Own a business? Great! Skip the buy-sell agreement, or if you must have one, make sure it contradicts your will. For added flair, announce every few months that you're revising your will, but never actually do it.
When you do make a will, appoint someone completely unsuitable—like your second cousin in Brazil who doesn't speak English, or your grandfather as the guardian for your young kids. Bonus points if you forget to tell them about it.
If you really want to cause problems, make sure your death leaves a financial mess. Spend as much as you can while alive and leave as little for your heirs as possible. The money you do leave? Make sure it goes to strangers or creditors, not your family.
Request the most extravagant funeral you can imagine—think multi-day wakes. Specify that top legal and accounting firms sort out your estate, ensuring hefty estate fees.
If you own a business, make sure any buy-sell agreements are grossly underfunded. Cancel any life insurance policies or simply avoid getting one in the first place. This way, your family will be left scrambling to make ends meet.
While this guide is tongue-in-cheek, it highlights a sad truth: many people inadvertently create emotional, legal, and financial problems for their loved ones by neglecting proper estate planning.
Simple steps—like creating a clear, updated will, organizing your records, and ensuring adequate life insurance—can prevent unnecessary chaos.
Take action now to leave a legacy of love, not frustration. Contact us today to get started on a plan that ensures your loved ones are cared for and your wishes are honored.
Copyright © AdvisorNet Communications Inc. All rights reserved. This article is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide specific financial advice. It is strongly recommended that the reader seek qualified professional advice before making any financial decisions based on anything discussed in this article. This article is not to be copied or republished in any format for any reason without the written permission of AdvisorNet Communications. The publisher does not guarantee the accuracy of the information and is not liable in any way for any error or omission.
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Without barely a moment’s thought, you would protect your family from an immediate threat.
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B. &C. W.
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Alliston, ON
M.O.
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We did a thorough search of advice-only financial planners and interviewed several before choosing to partner with Jacquie. She had come highly recommended.
Jacquie has been a godsend. She did a deep dive into our financial position and created an initial bespoke plan to help clarify our financial position. She then helped facilitate conversations with us as we made some tough decisions. As we shifted our assumptions about what we wanted and expected for the decades to come, Jacquie ran several fresh scenarios for us.
In the end, we felt comfortable with the final version of our plan and understood the guidelines we need to be aware of to stay on track. Jacquie then introduced us to some very smart, experienced professionals in the investment industry who we are considering partnering with to manage our portfolios.
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Toronto, ON
