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

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

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

It’s never too early to start talking with your family members to ensure everyone is on the same page when a care crisis occurs. Specifically, talk to your parents about their intentions for the future when they’re still capable of managing their affairs. 10 Jul

Planning Care for Aging Parents: Five Key Steps

This guide explains—in plain language—how the Long‑Term Care Rate Reduction Program works and how it can help lower your monthly bill. 03 Jul

Reducing the Cost of Long-Term Care in Ontario