Why I added my pets to my will

As a single woman with no children, I had never really given much thought to estate planning. I am close to my brother and sister and I just assumed they would amicably and fairly divide things up upon my departure to the great beyond.

However, my lackadaisical approach to end-of-life planning came to an abrupt end several years ago when my flight from Las Vegas to Toronto was overcome with the worst turbulence I have ever experienced. Pre-COVID-19, I was flying at least once or twice a month and have had my share of bad flights—but this was on a whole new level. The man sitting in the middle of my row actually grabbed the cross from a necklace he was wearing, clenched it in his fist, and rocked back and forth reciting the Lord’s Prayer as the plane shook!