On February 2, the groundhog did not see his shadow which means spring will hopefully be here before we know it! As the snow melts and the sun comes out we are preparing to file our taxes and plan for the year ahead. As of January 2019, clients will have the ability to download their tax documents electronically (eTax) via DS Online. Just another option to be able to access your documents as they become available.

You know how we like to help our clients be prepared and that we take Estate Planning very seriously. Here are a few ideas that can be done at any age to help make the process easier. Make sure that all your accounts are joint with your spouse if applicable. This would apply to things like your home, vehicles, and utility bills as well. We had a client a few years ago where the spouse passed away and they were not named on any of the bills. It was quite the process for the sole survivor to transfer the name to sole with each company, where if it were joint it would help make the process smoother. Make sure you have a Will and Power of Attorneys for both property/financial matters and your personal care. When choosing an Executor or your Attorneys, make sure to have an alternate in case your choice isn’t willing or able to do it when the time comes. Lastly, if you do not want to burden anyone close to you with the responsibilities, know that we have an Executor Service available at RBC. If you have any further questions on any of this or other estate questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team or your legal professional to personalize a plan for you.