Kian Gahnei

By:  Kian Ghanei

the mention of that word makes you uncomfortable, you're not alone. According to a recent survey nearly half of Canadians over age 45 have not talked with their parents about their funeral plans, or leaving a legacy for younger generations in the family. And three out of four Canadians have not participated in a meeting with their parents or siblings to discuss their parents' wills even though children very often act as the Personal Representatives of their parents' estate(s).

That reluctance is easy to understand. People tend to shy away from the difficult topics of death and money until there is an urgent need to have those discussions, usually when their parents are much older. But that's not a good thing because the lack of timely communication can easily lead to regret, hard feelings and a reduction in estate assets.