The Golden Rule of Estate Planning: Just Ask

Lori McLeod

Let’s face it; no one wants to ponder his or her own morality.

More often than not, that means estate planning permanently rests at the bottom of the priority pile. Yet having an estate plan is about much more than death and taxes.

It’s about people. . . you and the people you care about. It’s about planning for those “what ifs” along your ageing journey. • What if you die? • What if you get injured or incapacitated? • What if you become dependent? Having a good estate plan starts by asking questions. The more you learn about what you want and how you can facilitate your wishes, the easier it is to move your estate planning to the top of your “to do” list.

I am always hopeful but never surprised at the lack of waving hands when our workshop presenters ask attendees, “Who has their estate planning documents in place and recently reviewed?”

There’s inevitably a multitude of reasons why not, but the answer that always resonates the most with me is this: “It’s so complex and I didn’t know where to start.”

But then I’m hopeful again because our estate planning workshops are always full and education is a great first step.

The Eldercare Foundation believes strongly in the value of providing free education to help people navigate the journey of ageing. We engage experts from the health care, financial, and legal professions who gladly volunteer their time to lead free estate and financial planning workshops at the Wellness Centre, Adult Day Programs, and extended care facilities Eldercare supports.

Take a look to see what is available in your community.

Here are five things you can do to get started. • To get information about the planning process and documents, see if seniorserving organizations in your community are offering any free estate-planning information workshops. • Make a list of questions for your

BC Notary, financial advisor, and accountant. • Talk with your loved ones so they are clear about what you want. • If you don’t already have your team of professional advisors in place, ask friends and family for recommendations; then make a list of interview questions to help you choose the professionals who are right for you. • Be curious. You don’t know what you don’t know, until you know what you should have asked!

If you haven’t gotten around to documenting your estate plan yet, don’t wait until that “what if” happens and your world is turned upside-down.

Armed with your list of questions and some basic knowledge, you’ll find it much easier to engage the right professionals to ensure that your estate plan reflects you and your wishes. s Lori McLeod is Executive Director of Eldercare Foundation in Victoria, BC.

I am always hopeful but never surprised at the lack of waving hands when our workshop presenters ask attendees, “Who has their estate planning documents in place and recently reviewed?”