should have some of the highest personal integrity and trustworthiness, it is not really an honour. Accepting this appointment is a massive commitment of time, energy and effort. As mentioned, appointees need financial skills, patience, and a calm demeanour to communicate effectively with different personalities. They will be committing 60 to 90 hours and up to two years to settle your estate. These appointees must also grieve while settling your estate. But what if you have no one available or capable to appoint? The third option is to appoint a Corporate Executor or Attorney through an established and reputable trust company. Your affairs will be managed by financial professionals who do this work every day. It’s their job, so they know it well. While empathetic to a grieving family, a Corporate Executor will not be distracted by grief. Trust companies often only consider estates with a minimum value of at least $750,000 or even $1 million, leaving many Canadians ineligible. A trust company will not consider acting as Attorney for Personal Care. A fourth option is to appoint a Professional Executor or Attorney. While similar to the corporate option, there are two notable differences. They have no minimum estate value requirements and can also act as an Attorney for Personal Care. Such professionals may work in independent practice or as part of a team in an incorporated firm. They, too, are established, reputable, certified estate professionals who offer diverse financial and estate experiences to manage your affairs. If you’re someone who is procrastinating because you believe you have no one capable or available to appoint as your Executor or Attorney, you do have options. A Corporate or Professional appointee can step in and ensure your wishes and best interests are still fulfilled.
A monument to a life well lived When a loved one passes, it can be difficult to see beyond those initial days, weeks, and months of grief and loss. And then there all the million little things that need to be taken care of when someone passes, from funeral arrangements to dealing with a person’s estate. Each decision to be made is emotionally charged during this time, making them infinitely more challenging, which is why preplanning is so important. Preplanning as much as you can relieves the stress and burden from your loved ones during a difficult time. This includes choosing your desired memorial . A memorial should be more than just dates and a name. With so many options available, it’s important to choose the right place for the job. Lee Memorials has been serving our community for three generations, helping each customer to memorialize a life well lived. They have the experience and knowledge necessary to create a custom memorial that is uniquely yours, featuring a custom design with your choice of engraving or CNC imaging. Are you a dyed-in- the-wool fan of a certain hockey team? Are you a part of an organization or profession you’d like to be remembered for? Why not have their logo on your memorial? These special touches can make your memorial extra- special, and when you pre-plan and take care of those details and wishes ahead of time you not only get what you want, but you give your loved ones a gift by easing the burden on them. It can be very challenging to make decisions when one is grieving, not only because we aren’t thinking clearly and are overcome with emotion, but also because we may worry that we aren’t making choices that our deceased loved one would have wanted. Pre-planning and purchasing your memorial takes those worries away . A memorial is a lasting tribute to a loved one. Let Lee Memorials help you create something by which you will be proud to be remembered.
Boomers and Beyond Elgin October 2025 cover Artists Valda-Christine Glennie and Denise Antaya are taking in the inspiration on an early fall afternoon at the Sparta Lavender Farm. Photo by Geoff Rae
End of Life & Estate Planning Lisa Jibson, MPA, CEA Certified Estate Advisor
Serving Elgin County for 3 generations Monuments ∞ Markers ∞ Engraving 43546 John Wise Line 519-631-8668 519-637-3385 (after hours) www.leememorials.ca
Final Wishes Preparation Individual or group classes. Online/in-person End of Life Planning Will Preparation POA/POC Trusts/Legacies
Professional Estate Trustee (Executor) A professional estate trustee can execute your will and final wishes. Avoid family issues and reduce risk/liability.
Certificate of Appointment of Estate Trustee Estate Advice & Consulting Consult with existing estate trustee on issues.
www.amatteroflifeanddeath.ca
To advertise here contact Geoff@villagerpublications.co
Boomers and Beyond – Elgin • October 2025 Page 11
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