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.”

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.

Given the current climate of low-interest rates and roller-coaster markets causing people to think twice about their financial decisions, many people may wish to consider the benefits of a charitable gift annuity.

How often should a Will be reviewed for changes? In general, every five years, but life changes will necessitate a more frequent review. A person should review a Will to ensure that the terms are still suitable.

TORONTO - Fr. Damian Young-Sam-You has big plans for St. Monica’s Church and with generous donations from members of his congregation who have passed on, the parish is that much closer to reaching those goals.

To make things as easy as possible for your family after your death, it’s necessary to understand the effect on your estate of probate fees and income taxes.

When Fr. Bill Burns retired last June, he didn’t fear a life of poverty due to promises he made in 1965 to become a priest.

Anyone who has held a Canadian quarter in their hands has encountered Dora de Pédery-Hunt’s work. She was the first Canadian citizen to design an effigy of Queen Elizabeth II which has been used on Canadian coinage since 1990.

Someone dies. What do we say when we meet their relative, their friend, their family? Too painful, right?

Throughout our lives we do all that we can to place our loved ones first. As Catholic Christians we look to the example of Our Lord and the saints who sought to serve rather than be served. Our choices and decisions are based on what is most beneficial for them.

TORONTO - A decade after his death, family man Esteban “Ben” Pingol’s legacy lives on through the Legacy Society of the Archdiocese of Toronto.

TORONTO - Fr. Rudolf Philip Volk served his family as a parent, his community as a priest and, in his death, the Church as a financial supporter for those in need.

As the warring sisters prepared for their final battle, both failed to recognize that their parent’s estate was the wrong place to wage their final fight.

As people age, their needs change and often they have a harder time taking care of themselves. This makes it important to plan for when you are no longer able to care for yourself.

Death used to be a simple fact of life. As of the Supreme Court decision on assisted suicide last February, it is becoming a legal process.