One of the biggest estate planning mistakes you can make is failing to have Health and Financial Powers of Attorney. Protect your wishes. Select someone you trust implicitly to manage your affairs and make personal decisions on your behalf.  30 Sep

Why Powers of Attorney (POAs) are Crucial

Planning your own funeral is an incredible act of love. If you don’t design and document your final wishes, your family will have to do so while mourning your death. 08 Sep

How To Plan Your Own Funeral: 10-Step Guide & Checklist

You only have so many hours in the day, days in a week, or patience in being pulled in different directions. Being proactive may seem like extra work now, but it will pay dividends— plan ahead, and the journey will be much smoother. 05 Sep

Balancing End-of-Life Planning for Your Aging Parents and for Yourself

Moving to a new state is a significant life event that requires reviewing and likely updating your estate plan, as state laws and tax implications can differ. 04 Sep

Moving to a New State? Review & Update Your Estate Plan!

Planning a funeral can seem like a daunting task, but a step-by-step approach can help you to honor and remember a loved one. Memorial services provide opportunities for family members, friends, and others to offer comfort and support to the bereaved and to each other. 04 Sep

Funeral Planning: Step-by-Step Guide to Honoring a Loved One

A "letter of wishes" can also be known as a memorandum of wishes, a precatory memorandum, an expression of wishes, or a letter of intent. It serves as a non-binding document to provide guidance to executors and trustees regarding the administration of an estate or trust.  02 Sep

Letter of Wishes: Common Synonyms & Primary Use Cases

A critical part of advance care planning is choosing someone who will represent you in case you can’t represent yourself. This article provides an introduction to healthcare proxies, the process of selecting one, and resources for getting started. 25 Aug

Choosing a Healthcare Proxy: Who Will Speak for You?

While a letter of wishes is not legally binding, it can still serve as a useful tool and an added “personal touch” to an estate plan, offering clarity on decisions, ensuring wishes are understood and guiding those involved in the administration of the estate. 22 Aug

The Letter of Wishes: A Personal Touch to Your Estate Plan

Four points to keep in mind when telling others you are choosing MAID: (1) Don't do it alone, (2) Set the stage, (3) Don't sugarcoat the core message, and (4) Don't leave it too late 15 Aug

Choosing MAID: How Do You Tell Your Loved Ones?

Many Americans will need long-term care (LTC) at some point, but not everyone may understand what it really involves. These statistics illustrate the importance of long-term care and planning... 07 Aug

Long-Term Care Statistics 2025: The Importance of Planning

No one ever plans to be sick or disabled. Yet, planning for the future can make all the difference in an emergency and at the end-of-life. Being prepared and having important documents in a single place can give you peace of mind, help ensure your wishes are honored, and ease the burden on your loved ones. 01 Aug

Comprehensive Checklist: Getting Your Affairs in Order

Here’s a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) that BAO staff regularly receive in phone calls and emails. Have a question we haven’t answered here? Please ask your question by email... 21 Jul

Bereavement Authority of Ontario: Answers to FAQs for Families