Question 1

What is a Certified Personal Fiduciary and how is it different from a financial advisor?

Accepted Answer

A financial advisor typically focuses on investments or products. A Certified Personal Fiduciary is engaged to act in your best interest across the whole picture — estate organization, protection, income, incapacity planning, and family coordination — with conflicts of interest disclosed rather than hidden.

Question 2

Do you replace my lawyer or accountant?

Accepted Answer

No. Those relationships are essential and I work alongside them. My role is to coordinate: making sure the will, the trust, the tax plan, the policies, and the beneficiary designations all agree with one another and with your intentions.

Question 3

What does the initial consultation involve?

Accepted Answer

A confidential conversation, usually 45 to 60 minutes. We discuss your family, your concerns, and what you want protected. You do not need to bring documents, and there is no product presentation.

Question 4

Do you work with clients outside Canada?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Clients are served across Canada and the United States, including families with assets or beneficiaries on both sides of the border. Cross-border matters are coordinated with qualified local legal and tax counsel.

Question 5

How do you get paid, and what is your fee structure?

Accepted Answer

Fred will explain how he is compensated based on the services and products, if any, that are part of your plan. You will receive clear disclosure before making any decision.

Question 6

What happens if I become incapacitated?

Accepted Answer

That scenario is planned for in advance. We confirm powers of attorney and health directives are valid and current, identify who holds authority over which accounts, and document instructions so your family is not negotiating access during a crisis.

Question 7

Can you help reduce conflict among my beneficiaries?

Accepted Answer

Frequently, yes. Most estate conflict comes from surprise rather than malice. Facilitated family meetings, written intentions, and consistent documentation remove the ambiguity that disputes grow in.

Question 8

Is my information kept confidential?

Accepted Answer

Always. Personal and financial information is held in strict confidence and shared with your other professionals only with your direction.

Question 9

How often will we review the plan?

Accepted Answer

At minimum annually, and any time something material changes — a marriage, a birth, a death, a business sale, a move, or a change in tax law that affects your structure.

Question 10

What if my situation is simple?

Accepted Answer

Then the engagement is simple. Many families need organization and a second objective opinion far more than they need complexity, and that is a perfectly good outcome.

Frequently asked questions

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