Edwin Rijvers 鈥� a Saskatoon-based representative from Purple Shield 鈥� gave a seminar on wills at the Canalta Hotel in Assiniboia on Friday, Oct. 29 from 10-11 a.m.
The purpose of the seminar was to encourage others to create a sense of structure for their loved ones before they departed for the afterlife. Disorganization 鈥� such a lack of a will or unscheduled funeral expenses 鈥� often gives an individual鈥檚 family an unnecessary amount of stress, especially when the family is undergoing a grieving process over a member who has exited this world without having the chance to say goodbye. 聽聽聽
Purple Shield is an insurance company designed to provide insurance for funeral expenses. The seminar was organized by the Pich茅-Hawkins-Grondin Funeral Home in Assiniboia and Gravelbourg.
Planning, discussing and devising a will is often a difficult topic most people would either avoid or prefer to put off until later. Yet, death is rarely a prearranged event. Moreover, a well-designed will is essential for assisting families who might undergo financial and emotional anxieties after their loved ones have deceased without warning. In addition, a pre-set will is intended to safeguard the executor from needless paperwork, expenditures and hassles.
鈥淪eventy per cent of people across Canada do not have a will,鈥� Rijvers said during his introduction. 鈥淭he reality is, someone is going to be planning and arranging this, so our estate and preplanning needs to be organized.鈥�
鈥淲e all have good intentions,鈥� Rijvers also noted. 鈥淏ut tomorrow never comes.鈥� 聽
When planning a will, issues such as probate should be resolved. The term probate refers to the legal process for reviewing the assets of the deceased person, as well as determining the inheritors. An executor for the will must be chosen and the costs of the notary should be noted. Expenses such as rent and other outstanding bills should be incorporated into the will as well.
Funeral planning is also essential whenever anyone decides to coordinate their last will and testament. 鈥淭he funeral isn鈥檛 about you,鈥� Rijvers said. 鈥淭he funeral is about those who survived you.鈥�
Should the body be returned home? Is cremation a desired option over a burial in a casket? These issues and more should be conversed over when arranging a will and a funeral ahead of time.
Rijvers touched on the rising costs of funerals. 鈥淧repare for it,鈥� Rijvers warned. 鈥淎 pre-planned funeral keeps the costs down. Create a map 鈥� make it simple and easy. Pre-planning means you have time to do it.鈥� 聽
The family should also have involvement when people devise their funerals and wills.
鈥淲hat you don鈥檛 want to do is leave the decisions to yourself,鈥� Rijvers said. 鈥淟ay out your wishes for your family. The more decisions you lay out ahead of time, the easier it will be for your family. Create a system of organizing your important information,鈥� Rijvers further advised.
Wills should also be changed every 5-10 years to reflect alterations in a person鈥檚 financial and marital status, along with other factors. 鈥淜eep it updated and accessible,鈥� Rijvers recommended. 鈥淕et that information for them and have it all in one place.鈥� 聽聽聽聽聽
When choosing an executor for the will, it is essential to remember the legal requirements inherent with this position. 鈥淎n executor can be audited or an executor can be sued,鈥� Rijvers said, further observing that executor鈥檚 insurance is the number one insurance sold in Canada.
When probate is concerned, the power of the attorney is passed to the executor. There are two types of power of attorney: the general power of attorney and the enduring power of attorney. The power of attorney is written authorization to represent or act on another鈥檚 behalf in private affairs such as wills.
Executor Liability Insurance protects the estate and the executor from disputes and litigation, such as when members of the family argue over certain aspects in the will, especially issues affecting property or financial disagreements.
