Estate Planning

For many people, dedicating a portion of their wealth to the Church after their death is a way of giving back to a community that has accompanied them through all stages of life.

The must-haves of estate planning

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Whether you are reviewing your current estate plan or considering a plan for the first time, there are several definite “must-haves.” Here are five of them:

Your guide to finding unclaimed bank balances

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So your reclusive Uncle Steve suddenly dies leaving no Will or documentation regarding his finances or estate. You always knew he had some money, but you have gone through his home looking for any documents that will help and have come up empty.

We owe a loved one the dignity of a proper funeral

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When the Christian community gathers to celebrate a Funeral Mass, it gathers as members of the Church on Earth to say farewell to a loved one and entrust their soul, through the mercy of God, to Heaven.

The right words are critical in making a Will

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As the saying goes, words can hurt. That is especially true in a Will, where even the most minor of language mistakes can have a dramatic impact on how assets are split.

Shepherds’ Trust ensures priests who cared for you will be cared for as well

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Before the death of Fr. Peter Rosettis in 2003, he drafted an estate plan to ensure three things happened after his funeral.

An odd encounter: shotguns, silver bars, a priest and a guy named Phil

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The old man’s white beard shook as his quivering lips whispered, “The entire world financial system is about to collapse. An armoured car will arrive in 15 minutes to deliver me a truckload of silver bars worth about a quarter million dollars. If you come with me now, half of them are for you.”

Power of attorney is for everyone

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Get a lawyer. Get a will. Get a power of attorney — in fact, get two. These aren’t tricky or exclusive legal arrangements for rich people. Ordinary, average Canadians need these documents.

Bequests a good way to thank parish that shaped you

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A Catholic parish is not unlike your household: there are bills to pay and only so many dollars available to keep operations running smoothly.

What the future holds for charitable giving

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A sampling of philanthropists in Canada shows that people who are active in their religion are more generous. It’s unlikely most people would disagree with such a finding.

A gift in-kind is often better than cash, Toronto's St. Ambrose parish finds out

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TORONTO – Cash may be king, but to a parish in need, a donation in kind is just as majestic.