What is Probate in Canada: Explained in the Most Basic Way
what is probate

Probate can sound confusing; it sounds as if it is a complex legal term that involving a lot of paperwork, time, and money. At it’s very core, this process is simply about validating the authenticity of a Last Will and Testament. It is often a misunderstood aspect of estate planning and administration. The Executor distributes the deceased’s assets according to their wishes (just as the Executor would in the case without a Last Will and Testament.) Let’s delve into the various aspects of probate in Canada: how it happens, how long the process takes, how it works, the Executor’s responsibilities, the circumstances requiring the process, and the concept of a Grant of Probate.

What is Probate

When Probate occurs

How long the process takes

When Probate happens

Who Handles Probate?

Do I need a lawyer for Probate?

Grant of Probate

Avoiding Probate

The Next Steps

What is Probate?

This legal procedure takes place after an individual passes away. It serves to officially recognize and authenticate the Last Will in question, which grants the Executor the authority to carry out the deceased’s wishes and distribute their assets among beneficiaries. This process ensures that the deceased’s debts are settled, taxes are paid, and that the assets from the estate are properly distributed.

When Does Probate Happen?

Probate is necessary when there are assets solely in the deceased’s name, and those assets need to be transferred to beneficiaries or sold to settle debts. This occurs in the following situations:

A) Testate Estates: The deceased had a valid Will in place. The court reviews the document to ensure its authenticity and then issues a Grant of Probate to authorize the Executor to carry out the wishes outlined in the Last Will.

B) Intestate: When a person dies without a valid Will, the estate is distributed according to the laws of intestacy. This may vary from province to province. This may require a similar court a Grant of Administration from the courts.

How Long Does It Take for a Will to Go Through Probate in Canada?

The process can be time-consuming: this varies on the complexity of the estate, the workload of the court, and whether or not any disputes or challenges may arise. It may take anywhere from a few months to a year to complete the process.

Executors should expect the following:

  1. Filing the Application: The Executor initiates the process by filing an application for Probate. This is the first step. This step can take a few weeks, because of all of the paperwork required.
  2. Review and Approval: Once the application is filed, the court reviews the Will in question (and the supporting documents) to ensure everything is in order. This can take several weeks to a few months. It depends on the backlog the particular court is facing at that time.
  3. Notification and Waiting Period: Creditors and potential beneficiaries must be notified during this whole extended process. There is typically a waiting period for any potential objections to the Probate process, which can further extend the process.
  4. Distribution of Assets: Once probate is granted, the Executor can begin distributing assets according to the terms of the Will. This also eats up extra time. It becomes even more of a lengthy process when the estate is complex.

How Does Probate Happen?

Probate in Canada occurs at the provincial/territorial level. Each province/territory has it’s own rules and stipulations regarding this process. Executors should file for Probate in the province/territory where the deceased held assets.

Who Handles The Process?

The person responsible for handling the process is known as the executor or estate trustee. This individual is typically named in the deceased’s Last Will. This person is responsible for:

  • Gathering and examining the deceased’s assets. This person evaluates the value of the assets.
  • Paying any outstanding debts, taxes, or liabilities from the estate.
  • Disperse the remaining assets to the beneficiaries as specified in the Last Will.

If there is no Last Will or no Executor, the court in question may appoint an administrator to handle the deceased’s affairs.

Do You Need a Lawyer to Probate a Will in Canada?

It’s not legally required to hire a lawyer to handle probate for a Will in Canada. It may be necessary for estates that are particularly complex. The process involves navigating through legal complexities, preparing legal documentation and ensuring that the documents are in compliance with provincial/territorial laws.

An Executor’s Responsibilities

The Executor is a key figure in this entire probate process:

  • Identifying Assets: Locating and securing all of the assets the deceased owned. This includes any financial accounts, real estate, and personal items.
  • Notifying Individuals: Properly informing creditors, beneficiaries, and other parties about probate.
  • Managing Finances: The Executor should manage the estate’s finances, pay off outstanding debts, funeral expenses, and deal with any tax obligations.
  • Assets: Ensure that the remaining assets are distributed in accordance with the provincial laws.
  • Submit documentation: Prepare and submit all of the necessary paperwork.

Check out this comprehensive executor guide for tips on making the best choice.

Circumstances Requiring Probate

Probate is typically required under various circumstances:

  • Sole Ownership: When the deceased owned assets only in their name (no joint ownership).
  • Real Estate Ownership: Real estate owned in the deceased’s name requires the necessity of the process.
  • Large Estates: Wealthy estates may require the process to streamline equitable distribution.
  • Will Disputes: If disputes arise, the process may be required to resolve these issues.

What Is A Grant Of Probate

A Grant of Probate is a vital legal document issued by the probate court. This verifies the authenticity of the deceased’s Will. It grants authority to the appointed executor to administer the estate. This document is pivotal as it provides the necessary legal authority to access, manage, and distribute the deceased’s assets.

Probate fees are also known estate administration fees. These are the costs associated with the legal process of probate in Canada. These fees can vary across Canada: Ontario, BC, Alberta, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Yukon, Northwest Territories, PEI, and Nunavut.

What Are Probate Fees?

These fees are charges imposed by provincial/territorial governments for the validation and administration of a deceased person’s Will. These fees are typically calculated as a percentage of the total estate value or based on a tiered fee structure. This all depends upon the jurisdiction.

Fees in Ontario

In Ontario, fees are often referred to as an Estate Administration Tax. These are assessed on estates with assets over $50,000. The rate is $15 for every $1,000 of estate value exceeding $50,000.

Fees in BC

In British Columbia, fees are likewise based on the total estate value. These are also based on a tiered fee structure. Fees range from 0.6% to 1.4% of the estate value.

Fees in Alberta

Alberta does not have fees; instead, it has a flat-rate fee for filing a $35 Grant of Probate fee.

Fees in Quebec

Quebec imposes notarial and registration fees instead of traditional fees. These costs are typically lower than the fees in other provinces.

Fees in Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan has a progressive fee structure: this ranges from from 0.7% to 1.5% of the estate’s total value.

Fees in Manitoba

Manitoba calculates fees based on the total value of the estate. Rates vary from 0.5% to 1.5%.

Fees in New Brunswick

New Brunswick assesses fees on estates valued at $10,000 or more. Rates ranging from 0.5% to 1.5%.

Fees in Nova Scotia

In Nova Scotia, fees are calculated as a percentage of the estate value, varying from 0.5% to 1.695%.

Fees in Newfoundland and Labrador

Newfoundland and Labrador apply fees based on the total estate value, with rates varying from 0.7% to 1.5%.

Fees in Yukon

Yukon assesses fees based on the total value of the estate; rates range from 0.4% to 1.2%.

Fees in Northwest Territories

In the Northwest Territories, fees range between 0.6% to 1.4%.

Fees in PEI

PEI imposes fees based on the total estate value, with rates ranging from 0.5% to 1.5%.

Fees in Nunavut

Nunavut assesses fees based on the total value of the estate, with rates ranging from 0.4% to 1.2%.

How Can I Avoid Probate in Canada?

Avoiding probate in Canada is possible through various strategies:

  1. Joint Ownership: Owning assets jointly with a spouse or family member can bypass the process. Ownership transfers automatically to the surviving co-owner.
  2. Designated Beneficiaries: Naming beneficiaries insurance policies, retirement accounts, and registered savings plans allows your assets to pass directly to beneficiaries.
  3. Gifts: Gifting assets to your loved ones during your lifetime reduces the value of the estate subject to probate.
  4. Establishing Trusts: Creating trusts for specific assets may keep them out of the process.
  5. Small Estate Affidavit: Estates that have low value may qualify for a simplified process.

FAQ: What is Probate Court?

This is a specialized court overseeing the whole process. The function of this court is to: validate Wills, appointing executors/administrators, settling disputes between people involved in probate, and streamlining the deceased’s assets.

FAQ: What is Probate Tax?

This is also known as estate administration tax. These fees are a provincial/territorial fee levied on the estate. It is based on the total value of the estate. It validates the Will and makes the process easier. The tax rate varies depending on the jurisdiction and the value of the estate.

FAQ: What Happens After a Probate is Granted?

After probate is granted, the executor or administrator has the authority to manage the deceased’s assets. This involves the following:

  • Identifying and securing assets.
  • Paying outstanding debts, taxes, and any administrative expenses.
  • Distributing assets to beneficiaries as per the Will or other legal requirements.
  • Keeping detailed records of all transactions related to the estate.

Your next steps

In a nutshell, the entire process is simply to validate the deceased’s Last Will. This includes ensuring that their wishes are respected, their debts are settled, their assets are distributed (the same thing that a Last Will is supposed to do), etc. Probate is just certifying that the Will is validated, but with extra steps.

There are different procedures, fees, and rules for each province: In Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia, the probate process includes submitting the Will to each respective provincial court to be validated. Other provinces may have different procedures. It’s always a good idea to do your research.

The fees for each province can be substantial, so you will want to minimize the fees as much as possible. Some common methods include: joint ownership, designated beneficiaries outside of Wills, trusts, gifts, etc.

Probate doesn’t have to be a confusing process; seek out advice if you need it or start writing your Will online today. This can help you avoid the whole process altogether, or make it easier if the issue does arise.

Start creating your legal will online today in just few easy steps with Formalwill

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Online Wills in Canada
Online will Canada

As our world becomes increasingly digitized, the importance of navigating online becomes essential. This includes preparing for what’s best for ourselves and our loved ones. We need to protect both our digital and physical assets. This is where online Wills come into play. It is a testament to the marriage of technology and legal paperwork that we can now create online Wills.

You do not need to go with some online Will template that is a boilerplate option. You will want to work with a proper legal platform offering the best online Will option in Canada. When you create your Canadian Will online, you will want to ensure that it legally holds up in court or during a dispute. There should be instructions regarding what to do once the Will is complete.

What’s in a Will?

Breaking down Wills

Are Online Wills legal?

What service should I use?

In the End

What is included in a Will?

Let’s take a closer look at what a Canada online will looks like: it requires exactly the same type of requirements of that a traditional paper Will. You should start with the first and last names of the beneficiaries. Your beneficiaries are the recipients of the assets you are leaving behind once you pass away. There should be a breakdown of the assets each beneficiary is meant to receive. This breakdown can include either specific items or a percentage of assets.

You also want to include someone responsible for carrying out the wishes that you have requested in your Will. This person is called the Executor of your Will. This person is responsible for distributing your assets and managing your requests.

If there are minor children involved, you can also appoint a Guardian for those children (in the event of your untimely departure from this world.) Finally, if there are any special instructions, requests, or actions that your beneficiaries or Executor need to be made aware of, those should also be included in the Will.

Understanding the mystery of Online Wills In Canada

Online wills can also be known as electronic Wills or even digital Wills. These are stored electronically. They can even be delivered electronically. You simply have to print out the Last Will in question and make sure that it’s signed and witnessed in the right places.

Another benefit of creating an online Will versus a traditional written Will is the convenience factor. Online Wills can be made from the comfort of your own home (or office), which removes the need for any type of in-person meeting as well as any costly meetings with lawyers.

Another major plus point is just how accessible creating an online Will is. It is perfect for those who may live in remote areas (or have reduced mobility). Online Wills may allow people living in (relatively) inaccessible areas the convenience of creating their Will online. They would simply have to have access to a computer, the Internet, and a printer. This also goes into the benefit of cost-effectiveness. An online Will tends to be significantly cheaper than creating a traditional Will.

You may think creating a Will is a complex, taxing process, but you would be wrong. Many services today offer an online Will kit for Canada. You may want a service providing you with a step-by-step guide to create your Will. These services will take you by the hand and guide you through a platform that helps simplify the creation of your Will. Before creating your Last Will, you need to know what your assets are, who your beneficiaries are, your Executor(s), Guardian(s), etc. Have your information ready before you start.

Online Wills offering customization options that cater to your specific needs are the best option for you. Online Will services allow you to create a Will that is tailored to your circumstances. Your Will can be tailored to your wishes.

The legality of the Will may vary from province to province. You may want to check directly with your provincial laws to see the rules and current legislation. But any credible Will service will have the proper instructions to follow in your province/territory of residence. You can print the Will and signing instruction letter out. Just follow any instructions in letter that comes with it. Be certain the letter is tailored to your province/territory of your residence. With that said, if you feel as if you require legal advice, you may still want to consider speaking with a legal professional. This too, is covered by credible online Will services. When you create your Will, these online Will services may have lawyers you can consult with (for a fee). The cost of using these lawyers may be a lot cheaper than going through a lawyer directly. There are always options available.

If you follow the instructions provided by the online Will service, the Executor should be able to access your Will with no issues. Once the Testator (the person who drafted up the last Will) passes away, the Executor should know what to do: the Executor should know where to find the Will, what the next steps are, etc. This will help streamline the process of Will creation.  

It is important to note that there are fundamental requirements for the Will to be considered legal. They are as follows:

The first specification is to ensure that whoever is creating their Will is of sound mind; that their mental capacity is not in question. The Testator needs to be able, within the legal framework, to understand what they are doing. There may also be requirements to have witnesses present and sign off on the Will. These witnesses, may or may not able to be beneficiaries themselves. This information should be included in your Last Will.

Another legal requirement circles back to storage requirements. As mentioned above, the document should be securely stored and yet, easily accessible.  The right people should be able to access the document when necessary.

What to take into consideration when choosing an online Will service in Canada

If you have already made up your mind and want to go completely digital with this critical document, the next step is finding the right platform for you. It all starts with finding one with a strong reputation. You’re looking for a track record, testimonials, and reviews of their products and services. This allows you to better understand whether the service in question is the right fit for you. You are looking for people with a background in legal expertise and are familiar with Canadian laws/laws related to Wills, etc.

Beyond this, you want to do your due diligence on the security features these online platforms have. Make sure they are robust with the right type of encryption and authentication features and have a proper team managing their cyber security.

The final item you’re going to want to take a look at is pricing. You clearly want to compare the cost to the quality of service. Just be comfortable with everything before proceeding.

In the end

Don’t make the mistake of thinking you’re not old enough to set up a Will. Creating your online Will in Canada can be done as soon as you have loved ones you care for and assets in your possession. This also applies to both Millennials and GenZ; yes, these two generations are struggling financially, and yes, they have a rocky start in comparison to the post-war baby boomers of the 50’s and 60’s. But, and this is a big but, at some point in their lives, there will be a time when they accumulate at least some of their wealth. This could be in the form of digital assets (such as bitcoin), or physical assets (such as jewelry, antiques, etc.)  As life circumstances change and evolve, you may want to create a Will at some point in your life. Additionally, creating a Will has many tax benefits. A Will can also eliminate any family squabbling that could occur after your passing. There is no reason to postpone such an important document as you may never know when your time comes.

Even with an online Will, nothing is set in stone, and you can periodically review your Will to ensure the document is kept updated. Maybe your children are no longer minors, or there are additional assets to add to your Will. You can easily update these items through your online Will. You can do this without the need to go through expensive revisions through a lawyer.

This is a revolutionary option that can help protect generational wealth in an easy-to-use format. There’s no fear of losing your documentation as the documents will be stored digitally. Whenever you’re ready to consider doing your Will online, feel free to reach out to us. We will be prepared to handle your inquiries and help get your online Will setup in no time. We can help you make the best-informed decision about online Wills and, more importantly, ensure that you’re going to secure your legacy and protect your loved ones.

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Estate planning in Canada: What it is and why it’s important
Estate Planning in Canada

We all have something of value to pass on to our loved ones; that is what estate planning does and why you should plan for your estate as soon as possible. Our estates are comprised of our assets, items and all of the things that we all own. This can include anything and everything from investments, homes, cars, savings accounts, personal possessions, furniture, life insurance, etc. All of these things add up to create our personal estate(s). It’s very important to plan on how to manage all of these assets, and how they’ll be distributed when you pass away. This is where estate planning comes into play.

No matter which province you live in, whether it be Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, Manitoba, Alberta, New Brunswick, Saskatchewan, or Newfoundland, estate planning is incredibly important. Estate planning can be used as a way to not only manage your assets, but also to ensure that your assets go to the right people. 

What is Estate Planning?

Key Components of Estate Planning

Effective Estate Plan

FAQs

What is Estate Planning? 

Estate planning allows you to manage your assets and estate before you pass away. If you die or become incapacitated, the person in charge of your estate, or in the event of working with an estate planning professional (if you are working with one) will have all the necessary directions and guidelines on what to do and how to complete the process.

Estate planning consists of more than simply preparing a Last Will because aside from choosing how your wealth is distributed, estate planning can also settle your debts and estate taxes. Estate planning also covers other things: the guardianship of your pets and minor children, for example. Following an estate planning checklist will help streamline the process while also helping you save time and ensure everything is managed appropriately.

How Important is Estate Planning?

Having an estate plan is of the utmost importance! If you’re looking to safeguard the future of your family, you will want to that your wealth is distributed properly. An estate plan offers control over asset distribution. It also protects your heirs by ensuring that their future(s) are taken care of.

Without proper estate planning, it can be hard to reduce the financial burdens incurred on your family when you pass away. It can also be hard to ensure that your money and wealth are distributed as per your final wishes. Thankfully, estate planning helps you gives you complete control over how you allocate your wealth in the event you pass away.



Key Components of Estate Planning 

Every estate plan is unique; however, some components tend to be a part of each plan, and here are the main ones.

Wills and trusts

A Will is a legal document that allows you to distribute your assets once you pass away. Wills are also important if you want any specific funeral arrangements, a specific guardian for your kids, and so on. You can also opt for a trust, which is a written document that ensures that the property be held by one (the “trustee”) for the benefit of another (the “beneficiary.”)

Power of attorney

A Power of Attorney document allows someone else the authority over your financial affairs and property. This document allows you to specify the details of what powers and duties your Attorney (the person you have appointed to look over your financial affairs), can or can not engage in. You can read more about how a PoA works. You may also want to think about completing a Power of Attorney for Personal Care. That will help round out your entire estate plan.

Healthcare directives

The Power of Attorney for Personal Care (otherwise known as a “Living Will”) is a document that allows you to specify what actions someone can take on your behalf. In the event of your incapacitation (unable to make decisions for yourself), the Living Will kicks in. Normally, healthcare directives are very common in the event of illness, coma, or any other situation where an individual is unable to speak on his/her behalf.

Steps to Create an Effective Estate Plan 

Establishing a proper estate plan can be very difficult and time-consuming. Here are some steps you can take to help you create an efficient estate plan.

Identifying key roles: executors, guardians, beneficiaries

When you start the estate planning process in Ontario, the most important thing is to identify the individuals who are going to be an integral part of your estate plan. The Executor is the individual who administers your estate and follow your wishes (in the Last Will and Testament.) The guardian is the individual who takes care of minor children and raises them once you pass away.

Beneficiaries inherit various items/assets. You may need to have physical witnesses when the estate planning process is just starting. For your PoA, you also need to have someone appointed as the Power of Attorney if you can’t make financial and health decisions. 

Determining estate distribution

Another major aspect of estate planning comes in the form of asset distribution. You may want to create a list of each person in your life who you are going to leave behind something for. It’s also possible to offer charitable donations through your estate plan. This can be done through your Last Will and Testament.

Outlining additional wishes

Aside from asset distribution, you may also have other special wishes to take into consideration. In that case, you may wish to create a separate document with any specific wishes you might have. That includes anything related to burial/funeral arrangements, how you distribute your valuables, or other things that were not a part of the initial process of asset distribution.

After finalizing all of the aforementioned tasks, your focus has to be on preparing the legal documents, ensuring that they are properly witnessed, signed and (if necessary, notarized.) It’s not a major part of the process, but it is important and something to keep in mind. 

Common Mistakes in Estate Planning 



Estate planning in Ontario doesn’t have to be a difficult process. It’s extremely important to know the most common mistakes in Estate planning, and how to avoid them when yourself.

  • It’s also common for people not to include any funeral arrangement preferences in their Last Wills, which can become an issue for bereaved loved ones. This can go into a separate list. It’s separate from the Will itself.
  • Not discussing issues beforehand with family and friends can also present a challenge: you want to be sure that the people who have appointed for certain roles (i.e. Executor) are going to be accepted by other members of your family. It’s best to have this discussion beforehand.
  • Some people also forget about setting up a healthcare representative or a financial Power of Attorney. You will want to have these two documents as part of your estate plan.
  • It may be beneficial to have multiple beneficiaries.
  • If you already have an estate plan in place, it makes sense to review it periodically. You should update your plan whenever required.

FAQs 


Is estate planning necessary?

Ideally, everyone should have an Estate plan. An Estate plan makes it very easy to manage your assets and ensures that someone else can make the right health-related decisions. In addition, an estate plan allows you more flexibility and control over managing and handling your assets.

Do you need an estate plan if you have a living trust?

Yes, because you want to ensure everything is handled the way you want. An estate plan is there to manage everything once you pass away.

Can you modify your estate plan?

Yes, the estate plan can be modified as many times as you want during your lifetime. The focus is on keeping it accurate and updating it with your wishes.

When is it a good idea to start an estate plan?

Now! Now is the perfect time to get started with an estate plan. There are certain times during your life when an estate plan can become a priority. That can be when you are acquiring new assets when you get married or have a child, when your children come of age, or when you retire.

Do you need a lawyer for estate planning?

If you need legal advice, an estate planning lawyer may work for you. Be sure to seek out legal advice whenever necessary!

Remember, you can always set up your Wills and estate plan online in Canada with just a few clicks!

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How rich families are passing on their fortunes to their heirs
Rich person enjoy money

A supposed “wealth transfer” is occurring. How do rich people pass on their fortunes to their heirs? What can you learn from them?

A whopping $84 trillion in assets will trickle down to Millennials and Generation X. Families should (hopefully) put a lot of thought and planning into how that wealth will be passed down.

This is even more true for uber-wealthy families.

It’s no secret that Millennials and Generation Z are two generations that have been beset with financial and economic struggles: student loans, high inflation, housing, and low job prospects all paint a bleak economic future for both generations. This is why many members of the younger generations are scrambling to make money through “side hustles,” living with roommates for a lot longer, live longer at home, and scrimp and save as much as possible.

The Importance of Estate Planning

The most common challenges

Family Dynamics

Wealth Succession

Other Things

Family Relationships

Philanthropic Giving

Financial Education

Life Insurance

Estate Tax

Wealth Transfer

Passing on wealth to the next generation

This is where the importance of passing down your inheritance comes in:

For a lucky few (we’re talking a very small minority of people on the planet), they have had the good fortune to inherit wealth. The small minority of lucky (wealthy) Millennials and members of GenZ may face other problems when it comes to receiving their assets: they may inherit less than they actually believe. Taxes and other estate fees may eat up their inheritance. Here is how you can learn from the uber wealthy: a study of 270 individuals from families with $50 million showed that some of the most important lessons on wealth planning are as follows:  

The most Common Challenges in Wealth Succession

Managing tax liabilities while transferring your assets can significantly impact (i.e. diminish) the wealth passed on to heirs. This means that proper estate planning and a good strategy for passing down wealth is of the utmost importance. In fact, 33% of respondents to a survey said that COVID-19 lead to more frequent conversations about their familial wealth.

78% of people reported having unplanned conversations about wealth, which didn’t go well at all. 26% of of those respondents actually regretted having those conversations. Ouch!

Managing Family dynamics:

The above stat shows why families with strained relationships, conflicting values, and differing values all complicate the process of transferring wealth. This is where the strategies for successful wealth succession comes in: asset preservation, safeguarding your assets from economic downturns, and preparing your heirs for the future are all important (it’s especially important in this day and age, where inflation is at 40-year high.)

Strategies for Successful Wealth Succession:

Estate planning is the basic cornerstone of wealth succession for affluent families (and not-so-affluent families.) This involves creating a comprehensive strategy to manage and distribute assets upon death (or in some cases, while the heirs are alive – which you can read about here.)

Wills: This is a no-brainer: everyone should have a Last Will and Testament, and if you need a basic Last Will drawn up, see here as to how we can help you with that. These are legally-binding documents to help specify how your assets should be distributed and managed upon your death.

Other things an Estate Plan should include:

Asset protection: optimize your tax strategy by utilizing tax-efficient strategies to minimize estate taxes. That will allow you to maximize your wealth and increase the amount of money that your loved ones get. That may include receiving professional financial advice, if you need it.

Family Relationships:

This should be a no-brainer, but having these conversations about money can elicit feelings of anger, sadness, confusion, etc. If you’re going to sit down and have these (uncomfortable) conversations about money, you’d better be prepared for some crying, anger (possibly screaming, yelling), and maybe even threats of physical violence. One way to handle this is through annual family meetings: gather everyone to discuss your plans for your estate, your long-term goals, and how you want your things to be handled upon your death. A good discussion to air things out may help clear the air of any ambiguity regarding your estate.

Philanthropy and Charitable Giving:

Many affluent families engage in philanthropy: they pass on their money to worthy charitable causes. This is their way of leaving behind a positive impact on society upon their deaths. You can see this with wealthy celebrities who have left everything to charity, rather than to loved ones. There are celebrities who believe that their own children should work for their own money (usually with the help of their parent’s connections, of course.) Funneling money through family foundations or through charitable trusts can seamlessly support charitable causes, and get the heirs involved in charitable giving. In other words, having your heirs involved in charitable giving and distributing that money may keep the children of the uber-wealthy from being spoiled brats who live off of their inheritance.

Financial Education and Mentorship:

Rich people, just like everyone else, don’t want to see their wealth squandered. They may also prepare the younger generation with lessons about financial literacy at a young age. Of course, this involves networking and connections (probably connections that many of us don’t have.)

Life Insurance:

Life insurance can serve as an effective tool for wealth succession. It’s pretty much a viable tax-efficient way to transfer wealth to heirs. Life Insurance can also be used as a way to pay off taxes on real estate.

Estate Tax Planning:

Estate taxes can significantly eat away at the wealth people have accumulated into your estate. For wealthy people, this is where estate planning attorneys/tax expert come into play: they help minimize tax liabilities. That isn’t what you want, right? You may want to do the same, and talk to an estate planning lawyer when you are settling your estate. You may also want to start with our estate planning articles, here.

Wealth Transfer Laws:

Wealthy families have to stay informed about new laws and tax regulations. They adapt and adjust plans accordingly. Regardless of your income level, you should follow suit and adapt by staying informed with the laws surrounding tax regulations.

Preparing the next generation:

Rich people don’t want their money to be blown – there is some evidence to show that by the third generation, inherited wealth ends up squandered. You too, can avoid having your money (and estate) squandered by emphasizing the importance of your heirs (and their children) about managing their money, consistently educating themselves on changes to the laws, and learning how to spend money wisely.

You can start this entire journey by creating a Will, Power of Attorney or a Living Will for yourself. You can start here. Wealth succession is a complicated journey that goes beyond the transfer of financial assets. You have to balance your assets, estate, family relations, philanthropy, etc. Managing all of this almost appears to be a full-time job. You can learn from wealthy families by making sure that your own heirs are up for the job.

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