Have you used a Certified Financial Planner? What were the key characteristics that guided you in your choice of professional to help you? If I was to look for a new Financial Advisor to help me with some changes that I am contemplating do you have someone that you could recommend?

Have you ever met or done business with my wealth management advisor (lawyer, insurance agent, accountant)? I currently use (insert the list of your professional contacts). Are you familiar with any of them?  I am getting concerned about the age of some of my contacts - and the fact that many of them are considering retiring and I may need to find some replacements. Who do you use?

​Given all that has been going on in the world today I think that it might be useful to have you meet my Certified Financial Planner so that I can share some of what I have done in terms of my plans for after I am gone. Can you give me a couple of times and dates over the next month that we could have a conversation - maybe virtually if you are not free for an in-person conversation.

With tax season coming up I have begun to prepare all of my documentation that I need for this year's return. I was surprised by all of the accounts that I have. Have you ever taken the time to list the assets that you have? I have put the updated list with my will at the Lawyers - do you have a similar list that can be easily accessed in the event that something happens to you?

One of my closest friends just passed, and it made it so difficult for their family because they had no idea who he had dealt with for his financial matters - his bank accounts, retirement funds, his insurance, and even his will. I don't want to leave you in a similar situation in the event that something happens to me. Can I spend some quiet time next week to go over those details?

I am thinking about helping out with the education of the grandchildren. It would give me a great deal of satisfaction knowing that I contributed to something that helped them to succeed in life. Have you set up an RESP in their names? Are there any other thoughts that you might have of how I could help - maybe setting up a trust in their names, or perhaps naming them as beneficiaries of our will or an insurance policy. I would love to hear your thoughts.

One of my most important goals before I die is helping our community (faith group, charity). What are your 5 biggest goals, wishes or dreams that you want to achieve in your life? How have you dealt with those things in your Will or through your financial plans?

Mom (or Dad), with the birth of your latest grandchild we have just sat down with our accountant and insurance agent to plan for securing his (her) future in the event something happens to us. Do you have any advice you can share on what guided you in some of your plans - who did you use and what were some of the things that were important to you?

Now that our house is paid off and our mortgage payment are finished we can begin to plan for our Golden Years. Who did you use and why did you choose them? 

We have all watched the huge increases in property values that have been occurring since the pandemic - both for primary residences and for vacation property. Are we as a family at all concerned about the Family Cottage? We are not sure that we can afford the capital gains and other costs that could become our responsibility if something should happen to you. How did you deal with these concerns about the Family Cottage with Gramma and Grandpa?

I have been thinking about getting some advice from a Wealth Management Advisor at our bank to help me make some decisions around my longer term retirement objectives. Do you have any advice on what I should be looking for based on your experience with your financial planner?

My goals as I age are changing, and I want to think about how I can really achieve what I want in my sunset years? Have you any advice or thoughts on what you think I should be considering?

As I age my tolerance for risk has been changing? Have you thought about the risks that are involved in your investments?

I just saw in the news that the stock markets are in for a bumpy ride. Does that concern you?

I am really concerned about the bite that taxes are taking out of my retirement income. Are you aware of some strategies that might help me reduce the impact of taxes on your inheritance?

I have been thinking about getting some advice from a Wealth Management Advisor at our bank to help me make some decisions around my longer term retirement objectives. Do you have any advice on what I should be looking for based on your experience with your financial planner?

With all of the changes in our world – COVID, inflation, increased costs related to property, and wild swings in investment returns – I am very concerned about the size of my nest egg for retirement. Given your experience, how did you cope with the changes that you experienced? How are you coping now?

Can you give me some advice on how to deal with the risks that inherent in investments that you have made – especially as you have gone through different stages in life. I am getting concerned that I am not conservative enough in my planning for the future.

How are you weathering the storm in terms of the markets and the returns on your retirement investments – are you concerned?

Are you happy with the advice you are getting from your financial advisor? Do you feel you are getting what you paid for?

You know I have always been a planner. Can we talk about what my wishes are for when my time comes – I have some ideas on what would provide comfort to me, and on what I want for my “last hurrah’?

I had a friend that was adamant about his desire to die at home. I think he was courageous, but I wonder about the burden that would place on his family. What are your thoughts?

I have started to think about options for me when I die. Have I ever told you about what I really want?

I went to a wonderful service the other day for a friend that had recently passed. It had a lot of the hymns that I love from our church. Have we ever chatted about the importance that I place on music and tradition at special times in our lives?

I want to ensure that all is in order for my funeral – so that you don’t have the worry about it. Can you come with me to the Funeral Home to look at options for me – for when the time comes?

As a kid I remember so much about get togethers with our family, and relatives. A lot of those occasions were around weddings and funerals. I remember some better than others. Are there memories that you have of those events where the celebrations were as you would have chosen for yourself?

I just don’t know how I could handle losing you, or someone I love to a terminal illness. It would take a lot of strength to help to do the right thing. Have you ever thought about it?

Can you tell me about the family plot at the cemetery? How did the family get it? Is it part of your plans for when you die?

I am really concerned about the costs of everything in our lives, and what I hear funerals cost. Have you ever given any thought to simple options for celebrations of life?

COVID has caused so many hardships on families. Early in the pandemic people were not even able to gather for funerals. I would hope that things have improved to the point where your family can honour you when you pass – don’t you agree?

I have heard that if something were to happen to me and I could not make decisions on my own that the courts or some bureaucrat would make decisions on my behalf. What can I do to ensure that my wishes are respected – if my decision-making capabilities are impaired?

I have been giving a lot of though to candidates for POA. What factors do you think I should consider in my choices?

I don’t want to cause any issues with you kids if something were to impede my ability to make decisions about my personal care or property, so I was thinking of exploring a non-family member as a possible POA. What do you think?

Do you know what the most important things are to me when I think about my property or personal care?

I am concerned that I may lose control if I name a POA. How can I protect myself?

Given some of the recent changes in our lives we have started to think about identifying candidates for POA. Have you given it any thought?

With our large family and the fact that I have many brothers and sisters – have you given any thought to how we could better manage your affairs – your health and your wealth – if you were not able to? How would you decide your POA given the fact that there are many of us?

I am concerned that your wishes may not be followed if something should happen to you that affects your ability to make your own decisions. Are you familiar with what a POA is, and how they can relieve some of the stress that we all might be faced with IF something should happen to you?

I am concerned that some may think I will take advantage of being named your POA. Can we discuss some ways that we can relieve some of my concerns?

The world is sometimes a crazy place. Have I ever talked to you about some of the concerns that I had as I was starting out, recently married and with a child on the way?

It appears that you are having some challenges. Is there anything that I can do to help?

I had many lean years – where I found it very difficult to make ends meet. Have I ever told you how I was able to survive?

It is none of my business, and I don’t want to overstep, but is there anything that I can do to help?

I don’t know how you did it. Can you share some advice with me about how to get through these difficult times?

I can see you are struggling. What can I do to help?

I am having some real challenges making ends meet. Is there anything that you can do to help?

I am concerned that you are in over your head and that you are looking after others at risk to yourself. Is there anything that I can do to help you?

I am concerned – can we chat?