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People often ask me why I chose this profession. Truth is, it really chose me.

A short radio ad recorded with my client and friend Gord Stellick tells the story best. Listen here.

I attended a big funeral recently along with more than 600 people. The man who had passed away was my young client, a well-respected medical professional and community leader.

In addition to his grieving family and friends, many of his colleagues and professional advisors were there too. I recognized several noteworthy lawyers, accountants, stock brokers and bankers.

I sat there thinking that many of them would pay their respects with a visit to the mourning family, probably send condolence cards or make charitable donations in honour of the deceased.

It also occurred to me that there was just one person in the crowd that day that would soon deliver a large, seven-figure, tax-free cheque to the widow and orphaned children a few weeks later. The money would help them maintain the standard of living their husband/father had worked so hard to create for them.

That one person was me.  And for that particular family my work was more important than any astronaut.

It’s always an extremely satisfying experience to deliver those cheques when people need the money most and it always helps me appreciate the important job and responsibility that I have.

It also helps me to further appreciate the influence that my late father, of blessed memory, continues to have in my own personal and professional life.  His short lifetime and early passing at age 50 provides me with added inspiration to help my clients and friends because I know what it’s like to be on the other end.

I joke around, but I’m really quite serious, when I explain to people that I have no competition in the insurance and estate planning industry. My real competition is simply getting people’s attention and finding out what they want to see happen for their own family, their business, and their favourite charities when they are no longer here.  Helping families avoid financial anguish and big tax bills is often easily accomplished with some simple planning.

Most people I meet would prefer to leave a bigger legacy to family and charity than to the tax department.

Everyone is just too busy looking after other people - they rarely take the time to look after themselves and their own families.  Nobody likes to think about getting sick or dying but the only time to do it is now - while the sun is shining and options exist - and not at a time when there are none.

Please take the next few minutes to think about your own situation and protecting your own family.

Start by downloading the Free Estate Planning Toolkit from my website and get started today.

p.s. Growing older, I’ve become afraid of heights

Stay healthy