Wills & End-of-Life Planning

27 Apr

Cleaning & Greening

You can take control no matter your stage of life!

Have you heard of Swedish death cleaning? It’s not about finding out what items “sparks joy” but rather making sure we’re not leaving a mess behind for those we love. Surprisingly, doing this can lead to treasures and experiences to be enjoyed now!

We also got into the nitty gritty of the green end-of-life options, what you can do about it now, and why you may want to reconsider what you think you know about your choices.

Disclaimer: We are not lawyers, and this shouldn’t be taken as legal advice. And remember that we’re usually referring to how things are in BC, Canada, so things might be different where you are.

Watch the entire event

“Cleaning” Video Clips:

“Greening” Video Clips:

Additional Resources:

31 Mar

Legacy

How do you want to be remembered?

This was more of a workshop, so while we have provided some short video clips, we’d encourage you to watch the entire event to get the real value out of the information. We promise you’ll leave feeling accomplished and inspired!

Disclaimer: We are not lawyers, and this shouldn’t be taken as legal advice. And remember that we’re usually referring to how things are in BC, Canada, so things might be different where you are.

Watch the entire event

Video Clips:

Additional Resources:

  • Julia Chung of Spring Planning Inc – Financial Planning Advice / Retirement Planning
  • Willow – Free 5-minute Legacy Love Letter worksheet
24 Feb

Disposition & Memorial

Once there is a dead body, what do you do?

Even fifty years ago, we would have had much more exposure to the dead and dying and from those experiences known the next steps to take.

We discussed what you should know in advance so that when the inevitable occurs to a loved one, you can spend your time doing the meaningful things to honour and memorialize that person.  And setting some of this in place for yourself can be a huge gift to those you leave behind. Knowledge is power!

Disclaimer: We are not lawyers, and this shouldn’t be taken as legal advice. And remember that we’re usually referring to how things are in BC, Canada, so things might be different where you are.

Feel free to click through the individual topics to learn more. The full recording is also below.

Video Clips:

Watch the entire event

Additional Resources:

  • Koru – home and family led funeral and vigils
  • BC Transplant – donating your body to science / organ donation / transplant
27 Jan

Advance Care Planning

Life Altering Physical Considerations

We talked through issues ranging from a sudden but temporary incapacitation (car accident) to a diagnosis with a terminal outcome (late-stage cancer). And why taking the wide range of scenarios into account is important. Advance Care Planning is not just having “I’d like a natural death” in writing. We mention the available tools, questions to ask yourself, and tips for having the important discussions with those who will have a say in your medical decision making.

Disclaimer: We are not lawyers, and this shouldn’t be taken as legal advice. And remember that we’re usually referring to how things are in BC, Canada, so things might be different where you are.

Feel free to click through the individual topics to learn more. The full recording is also below.

Video Clips:

Watch the entire event

Additional Resources:

Online guides mentioned as part of your overall planning in the event of incapacitation, unexpected injury, or serious illness.

Online wills, powers of attorney, and representation agreements, including discount codes.

  • LegalWills.ca – for 15% off any product
  • Willful.co – any product is 20% off by using code “ALLANFINANCIAL20” at checkout
02 Dec

I’m Dead Now What – 101

Welcome to “I’m Dead, Now What?”

For something with a 100% likelihood, most of us don’t do a great job of planning for death.

We’re running this series to explore life transitions, death, and how to plan for the inevitable.

I’m Dead, Now What features Christa Ovenell, aka Death’s Apprentice. Christa is a licensed funeral director and a certified Elder Planning Counsellor, specializing in end-of-life education and planning. You can catch her monthly on CBC’s North by Northwest.

Christa and Danielle

“Most of us will spend significantly more time researching which phone to buy than contemplating any element of our own advanced care or transition planning.

Do you know the simple steps you need to take to get your affairs in order?

It’s remarkably easy, incredibly empowering, and trust me: being ready is the biggest gift you can ever give.” ~ Christa Ovenell

Our first event focused on the legal basics – the what and why of:

  • Wills
  • Powers of Attorney
  • Representation Agreements

Disclaimer: We are not lawyers, and this shouldn’t be taken as legal advice. We know some great lawyers (recommendations below) if you want to follow up with them and get specific direction. And remember that we’re usually referring to how things are in BC, Canada, so things might be different where you are.

Feel free to click through the individual topics to learn more. The full recording is also below.

Video Clips:

Summary of the 3 Legal Basics

Representation Agreements

Powers of Attorney

Wills

“I don’t own anything of much value”

“I’m too young to need this!”

Watch the entire event.

(includes info on what if you expect to inherit someday; what’s the bare minimum you should do; online platforms to do this yourself; what are “funeral wishes” anyway; what is a co-executor; I’ve moved; rush to cremation; etc.)

Additional Resources:

Online wills, powers of attorney, and representation agreements, including discount codes for you! (Simple, legal, and under $250, so no excuse not to do it.)

  • LegalWills.ca – any product is 20% off by using code “deathsapprentice” at checkout
  • Willful.co – any product is 20% off by using code “ALLANFINANCIAL20” at checkout

Local lawyers who specialize in simple estate plans and price accordingly –

31 Jan

Adulting V: Wills & Taxes

Adulting with Elizabeth

After our intro event, we conducted a highly scientific survey and based our sessions on your feedback. We brought in another expert –  this time Elizabeth Mah from Paperclip Law – to talk about wills.

We discussed things like:

  • How to do tax season right
  • What questions Elizabeth would have us ask ourselves in determining if we even need a will.
  • Overall guidance from Elizabeth on how to be proactive rather than reactive when it comes to protecting your money.

 

You’ll find photos of the event below!

Tax Tips with Dan & Rach

Some tax tips for you brought to you by the folks at Wealthsimple.

  1. File on time.
  2. Actually, file early.
  3. For a lot of us, the best thing you can do for your tax bill (and your future) is to contribute to your RRSP before March 1.
  4. If you got married (or are common-law married), get RRSP-married too.
  5. Marriage/Common Law part two: bundle your charitable contributions for a better bang/buck ratio (*more tax credit info below)
  6. When it comes to deductions, leave no stone unturned.
  7. Invest your tax refund as soon as you get it.
  8. If your refund is too big, don’t congratulate yourself – make some changes.

*First-Time Charitable Donor’s Tax Credit: if you’re donating for the first time, you can claim the first-time donor’s tax credit. As a first-time donor, you can claim an extra federal tax credit of 25 percent on your first $1,000 of donations. This works out to the equivalent of a tax credit of 40% on your first $200 in donations, and 54% on amounts above $200. More info on charitable donations and tax credits here.

Elizabeth’s Adulting Advice

Do I Need A Will?

Well, first off, what’s a will? A will is a legal document that tells everyone what to do with your stuff (and kids) after you die. In BC, it:

  • Deals with your property and assets so that they pass to the people you choose, when you want them to receive it, in the form you choose (outright or over time through a trust), and in the most tax-efficient way; and
  • Ensures that your kids are cared for by the people you designate, and have access to assets for their well-being and benefit.

Great, with that in mind, let’s take a closer look at the thoughts that may be going through your mind right now.

1. Doesn’t everything just automatically go to my family, spouse and children?

Not necessarily – have you added them as joint owners? Have you designated them as beneficiaries?

2. I’ve told my spouse and children about what I want so they can just take care of it.

In BC, “telling” doesn’t count. You either have a will that works, or you don’t.

3. I’ve just downloaded a will from Google or bought a will kit when I was picking up some shampoo the other day, so I’m good, right?

Well, it depends on whether you signed it properly and have covered off all your assets.

 

Ugh, maybe a few holes? Time to think about checking this off the to-do list. Elizabeth even has a few suggestions for what you need to write a will.

 

Event Photos