Catholic Mission In Canada

He slept beneath the moon,
He basked beneath the sun;
He lived a life of going-to-be,
And died with nothing done!

And so it is that I am writing about wills again—in part, because I know many of you keep putting off writing your wills until later …and second, to encourage you to give yourself a time frame this year to have your will written or to update your old will.

Reading the story of Sister Margaret Suntjens and her fellow Daughters of Wisdom sisters who arrived in the Atikameg mission in the Archdiocese of Grouard-McLennan in Northern Alberta back in 1948, and reading about our faithful donors in this issue of Highlights who have made their wills and included Catholic Missions In Canada to receive a bequest, encourages me to ask you to consider leaving a gift in your will to Catholic Missions In Canada to support missionaries like Sister Margaret.

The needs in 1948 have changed, and yet still remain and will continue into the future. Our missionaries still struggle to find the funds for catechetical materials to teach religion to young children and youth, to train lay leaders to lead in their community, to repair leaks or remove mould or replace furnaces, and sometimes, to find food or fuel for themselves. 

Of course, preparing your will is not just about remembering your favourite charity. Your will is one of the most important documents you will ever sign. Your  will is a way to make your wishes come true. In it, you list what you want to happen: who will be your executor to represent you through the process of probate, who can and will carry out your wishes as you intended, and who will care for your minor children or other dependents. A will properly prepared lets you sleep better at night. It lets your family rest better, too.

Five critical don’ts to consider:

1. Don't put it off until later. The years have a way of slipping by. A will delayed is a will not done.

2. Don't do it by yourself. Nothing can replace the benefits of a face-to-face meeting with a good estate lawyer who asks the right questions and who knows how to draft a will properly. A poorly drafted will could result in up to half of your estate being paid in taxes for your final tax return, especially if you have long-held publicly listed securities (shares) and registered funds, i.e., Pensions and RRSP/RRIFs.

3. Don't put it away and forget about it. Things change. Children grow up. New developments occur regarding health issues and finances. An outdated will could create more problems than it solves.

4. Don't put it where no one can find it. Your will is worthless if it can't be found. Tell one or more of your loved ones or a trusted friend. And don't lock it away in your safety deposit box. The bank won't let anyone into it until your will is probated.

5. Don't be like the fellow above “who died with nothing done.”

Review your will every five years or so.

As the manager of gift planning for Catholic Missions, I wish you to have a will that is valid and up-to-date and consistent with your wishes. We have an excellent Will Planner that I will send you for free to help you get started. Also, ask me about “Why Keep it Secret?”