Your loved ones could be at risk. Use this checklist to make sure you have protected them. Answer each question with a "yes" or "no" response.

1. I have a written plan to protect loved ones if something happens to me.

2. I have named  executors plus guardians for underage children.      
         
3. I have legally appointed someone to handle decisions for me.      

4. I use probate and income tax saving strategies.           

5. I have told my loved ones about my plan.            

If you did not answer “yes” to the above items that apply to you, you are at risk. Read on to discover how you can protect yourself and your loved ones.

Sign-up to receive future blog posts in your email. You can also read about the 12 critical steps in making a will.

Most people do not know what executors are expected to do. Making the wrong decision can cause stress and get you into trouble.

If you are a new executor of an estate, I know you are feeling overwhelmed. What should you do first?

You have to protect yourself. Lawsuits against executors are becoming more frequent.

As an estate lawyer, author, and founder of EstateTherapy.com, here’s how I can help you.

I created a self-study system to help executors protect themselves. It’s called Executor Kung Fu: Master Any Estate in Three Easy Steps.

It’s easy to use, filled with insider secrets and in plain language. You can find it only at EstateTherapy.com.

But don’t take my word for it. Visit my website and download a free sample.

Don’t act as executor without visiting EstateTherapy.com.  Watch my video here.

Sign up here for an Executor Workshop I am running for EstateTherapy.com on January 26, 8 – 9 p.m. EST.

You will receive a copy of my book, Executor Toolkit: What Every Executor Needs to Succeed. You will learn my 3-step system to handle any estate.

You will learn:

• Understand the legal definitions and terms you must know
• The Probate Process at a Glance … 12 months and counting
• 5 Costly Mistakes Executors make and how to avoid them
• 4 Dangers Executors face
• The 3-Step Executor Mantra to handle any Estate

Register today to save your seat.

Okay, you’re not King Tut. You’re not going to take it with you. You’ll need a will. 

Do you know what happens to your money when you die?

If you don’t have a will, here are three key things to know:

• your spouse or children do not automatically get all your money
• your minor children will not be protected
• your family will need costly court orders

Somebody must first find your money.  That somebody is your executor, called your estate trustee in Ontario.  Before they can collect your money, they need legal authority to act for you. They will hire an estate lawyer to get advice and go to court.

Why invest in a professionally prepared will?

You can choose a person you trust to be your estate executor or estate trustee. For simplicity, let’s refer to this person as your executor.

The executor will be in control of all of your money. 

Executors can sell your property once their authority is confirmed by an estate court.

Getting Probate

This process is referred to as “getting probate” of a will. In Ontario, this is called getting a certificate of appointment of estate trustee.

The estate court certifies who represents you when you are gone.  The court issues a certificate confirming your executor and who shares in your estate.  Your executor can then administer your estate.

They collect all your money, pay taxes and bills and distribute the residue to your family.

Want more tips on being an executor? Get my two free mrwills.com guides to Executor Duties – What You Need to Know and Executor Mistakes – 10 Things Executors Must Never Do.

Register for one of my upcoming webinars about wills or executors.

3 Secrets to Protect Your Family will not show you how King Tut did it. You’ll learn action steps, pitfalls to avoid and get practical checklists to protect your money. Register today.

Who Inherits Your Money?