Twelve key documents you need to gather
By Brenda Spiering, Editor,BrighterLife.ca
Can you imagine what would happen if you died and your beneficiaries didn’t know where to find your will? Or your money?
It happens all the time according to Jim Yih, author of the personal finance blog, retirehappyblog.ca: “When someone dies, there are a whole bunch of questions that need answers but the only person with the answers is not here anymore.” You really love your family and friends, says Yih, so take the time to get your estate organized so you don’t leave them with a big mess to sort through during such an emotional time. Read more 
Is it Time for your Insurance Audit?
Has it been a while since you last looked at your insurance portfolio? Are you a little sketchy in your recollection of all the coverage you have and why you have it? Are you uncertain as to whether or not your portfolio reflects your current situation? If this is the case, this might be the ideal time to have an audit of your insurance policies. Circumstances can change over time and making sure your protection keeps pace is a worthwhile exercise.
A comprehensive audit should review the following:
- Is the total death benefit of your life insurance appropriate to your needs? A current capital needs analysis can help to determine this.
Preserving an Estate
You’ve done a good job accumulating assets and establishing your financial security. These assets will funnel down to the next generation, but at what value? What will the tax consequences be? Will these assets pass directly to your intended beneficiaries, or will they be stuck in probate? What impact will it have if your spouse dies first?
Life insurance can be a very effective tax and estate solution to ensure that the value of your estate is maximised. You’ve worked hard to create this asset – take the steps to protect it. Lets discuss options to preserve your estate.
