Estate Planning

An estate plan reflects your wishes and helps to ensure you'll be remembered the way you want.
Get started
Call to speak with an advisor
1-800-661-3300
Photo of a mother and her daughter in the kitchen baking.

What is estate planning?

Estate planning is the comprehensive review of your estate and creation of an action plan for achieving your estate objectives which may include but are not limited to; minimizing taxes and uncertainty, maximizing value of your estate, and ensuring its proper distribution after death.

Often estate planning involves taking a coordinated approach in working with your other advisors (lawyers, accountants, investment etc.) to ensure that all parties understand the complete picture and are driving towards the same objectives.

Depending on your situation and objectives the process may also involve cross-border planning and charitable giving strategies.

Manage Taxes Icon

Manage tax

Ensure taxes are minimized with proper planning and management.

Home With A Chimney Icon

Asset dispersion

Ensure your assets go to the party(ies) of your choosing.

Cash Payment Icon

Make a difference

Benefit charities of your choosing while your alive or after your gone.

Feasibility Meeting Illustration

Is estate planning right for you?

Estate planning is essential for everyone - even those with modest assets. Regardless of your age or the size of your estate, a proper estate plan will ensure that it is passed along per your wishes, minimizing tax as well as stress and complications for your heirs. There are two main reasons why most people fail to do estate planning:

Human nature

Human nature makes us adverse to talking about death and our own mortality. We don't like to think about what will happen when we pass away.

Belief that it's only for the wealthy

Many (incorrectly) believe that estate planning is only for those that are wealthy. People seem to think that the word "estate" implies great wealth. The fact is, an estate can be a modest home and several thousand dollars, or multiple homes and several million dollars.

An estate planner will help you to:

  • Coordinate with your lawyer, accountant and investment advisors ensuring all parties are aware of the complete picture not just their specific role.
  • Analyze and outline your current financial position, describe alternatives and options open to you and make recommendations.
  • Explore ways of increasing the value of your assets - for your benefit, your beneficiaries, or a charitable cause.
  • Determine the tax liability on your holdings and estate, exploring options for avoiding unnecessary taxes and minimizing your tax liabilities.
Help With Financial Planning Illustration
Calculating Tax Liabilities Illustration

An estate planner will also help you to:

  • Review your will and business documents such as shareholder agreements.
  • Examine the liquidity of your estate and determine if there is enough cash to pay final expenses and taxes from the assets that you have. This includes reviewing your insurance portfolio.
  • Suggest ways to maximize your retirement income.
  • Explore ways to reduce taxation through personal and/or business planning.
  • Suggest options for business and farm succession planning.

Get in touch

Send us a message and we'll get back to you within 1-2 business days.

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.