Ralph and Mary have accumulated a nice estate, a good portion of it in cash. They want to leave it all to their children when they die, but they also want to do something for them today. Being part of the Savings Generation, they are reluctant to give large sums to their kids today, as they are part of the Spending Generation. Ralph and Mary also want to treat their children as fairly as possible.

When someone dies, their estate falls into three basic categories:

Part 1 – Proceeds that can be passed on by way of a named beneficiary designation.

Part 2 – Proceeds that can be passed on by way of joint ownership.

Part 3 – Proceeds that can be passed on by way of a will or a Provincial Intestacy Act.