You have the power to do tremendous good, especially after you've gone

Your mother told you to make a will. So did uncle Harry and your brother-in-law, the one in Calgary with the oil company, uh...Eddie. Have you done it?

Unfortunately, by 2010, about two million Canadians won't have the opportunity because they died without leaving a will.

The consequences are enormous. Dying, "In testate," means your assets are distributed according to a rigid formula decided upon by the government. Everybody loses — spouses, family, relatives and people you may never meet; the recipients of services provided by some of the over 80,000 charitable organizations in Canada.

Making a will is not a big deal. You can purchase a "will kit," but most lawyers prepare wills for a very reasonable charge and keep a copy in their files, just so it's safely stored and obtainable. Using a lawyer assures you that your will is properly prepared and there are no gray areas that might be subject to interpretation after you are gone.

What's this got to do with charities? After you have provided for everybody on your list you can give part of your estate (or all of it if you wish) to a charity. If you are in your 70's or older, you represent part of a huge transfer of wealth to the, "Boomer," generation; those in their 40's and 50's. If you are a, "Boomer," you've probably got assets yourself and although you may still feel young and invincible, you're not. Time catches up on all of us. Providing for your family is number one, but creating a bequest to a charity will help many people and provide a fitting memorial for you other than having your name on a headstone.

If your world is complex and you have all kinds of property and investments, working with a qualified financial planner is a definite plus. He or she will help you plan your financial future and help you develop a plan to provide for charitable gifts — while you are alive — that can benefit the charity and you. That's what, "planned giving," is all about, planning a gift to a charity.

Most charities are well managed and have professional fund development staff to assist you with the information you need to leave a legacy in your will, a "planned gift." It's as simple as choosing a charity whose work and mission have affected or interest you. The joy is that by going this route you may become involved with the charity, now, while you are gratefully alive and may possibly become a volunteer and a donor. When you are gone, your bequest will continue to help others.

So, listen to your mother. She was right. Make a will, look after everybody and leave a piece to a charity. That way you help lots of people and keep the government out of your estate, except for the taxes that they are going to receive anyway. But not the rest!