If you were to become incapacitated, who would pay your bills and how? What would you want for your medical care if you're no longer able to express your wishes? How can you leave your assets and possessions to your loved ones with a minimum of tax and without conflict or uncertainty?

There are three documents everyone should have to protect themselves and their families from the unexpected.

Wills
The first, a will, contains your instructions for how to handle your estate when you die. It starts with an in-depth meeting to discuss your assets, family situation and your wishes. We'll review estate planning options for reducing taxes and potential conflicts and make some decisions as to how to best manage your affairs. For example, you might want a cottage trust for your children or need guardianship provisions for a minor child.

Powers of Attorney
The second document is a power of attorney, which allows someone you name to manage your affairs if you give them permission or become incapacitated. This is vital to prevent situations where an unexpected illness requires someone to help with your banking, living arrangements, etc.

Personal Care Directive
Lastly, a personal care directive contains your instructions to medical personnel in the event you cannot speak for yourself, and names a trusted person to make decisions on your behalf. Your personal care directive can be customized to match your wishes and values so that they are respected during a serious illness or end-of-life situation.

In addition to these key documents, clients may also need one or more of the following:

Succession Planning for Business Owners
Planning for Blended Families
Tax Optimization Strategies
Guardianship for Minors & Disabled Persons
Estate Dispute Resolution
Mutual Will Contracts
Cottage, Education & Maintenance Trusts
Planning for Charitable Donations