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Thanksgiving brings families together around dinner tables across Manitoba, creating one of the few times when multiple generations gather in one place. While these conversations often focus on sports scores and holiday plans, Thanksgiving also presents a unique opportunity to discuss topics that families typically avoid – but shouldn’t.

As autumn arrives in Manitoba, seasonal property owners are preparing their cottages and cabins for winter. Beyond the typical winterization checklist, there are critical legal and insurance considerations that could save you thousands of dollars and prevent family disputes.

As we observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30th, Manitobans are reflecting on the importance of honouring truth, fostering understanding, and creating meaningful change for future generations. This day of remembrance reminds us that our actions today shape the world we leave behind – a principle that extends naturally to how we approach our own legacy planning.

Creating a will is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your family’s future. However, many Manitobans unknowingly make costly mistakes that could leave their loved ones facing legal battles, financial hardship, and unnecessary stress during an already difficult time.

For many Canadians, pets aren’t just animals – they’re beloved family members. If you’re concerned about who will care for your furry, feathered, or scaled companions after you’re gone, you’re not alone. Including pet care provisions in your will ensures your beloved animals receive the love and care they deserve throughout their lives.

One of the most important decisions when preparing your will and powers of attorney isn’t about what happens after you pass away – it’s about who will handle your finances if you become unable to do so yourself.

One of the most sensitive conversations we have with clients involves family members they’d prefer not to inherit from their estate. Whether it’s due to estrangement, poor financial decisions, addiction issues, or simply feeling that one child has already received enough support during their lifetime, parents often ask: “Can I completely leave someone out of my will?”

One of the most devastating things that can happen to a family after someone passes away is having their will declared invalid. We’ve seen families torn apart by legal battles when disappointed beneficiaries claim their loved one “wasn’t of sound mind” when the will was created.

When we sit down to help parents name guardians who can raise their minor kids if something happens to them, we often have to work through one sticking point: how much money plays into the factor of “what makes a good guardian.”

When we help Manitoba families prepare their wills and powers of attorney, we often focus on the tangible assets – the house, the car, the bank accounts. But what about your digital footprint? Your photos stored in the cloud, your social media accounts, your cryptocurrency, or even your Netflix subscription?