Find a CEA

I have been in the financial services industry since 1992 and a Certified Financial Planner^®
professional since 1998. Although I have worked in the industry through various
mutual fund dealerships I joined Sterling Mutuals Inc. because of the
independence that is offered through this type of dealership.

I operate as a "FEE-ONLY" Financial Planner and do not earn a commission on the sale of a financial product.  I can be engaged to provide financial planning services ranging from one time consultations or on-going service relationships.  Visit my website at www.gregormcdonald.com and email me at gm@gregormcdonald.com to arrange a meeting.

My name is Rachel McDonald, President & Owner of McDonald Estate Services Ltd.  I began my career in estate administration working with my father who practised law for over 50 years!  Although my Law Clerk Certification provided a great basis for estate administration, the lessons learned through processing thousands of Probate/Certificate of Appointment applications, or acting as a professional Executor, have been invaluable. With over ten years of experience in this field, I have not only honed my practical skills to work efficiently, but also the communication skills necessary to deal with the sensitive and confidential  matters relating to estates.  I truly enjoy getting to know my clients and using my expertise to help them navigate through this difficult process.

For more about my services please visit my website at www.mcdonaldestateservices.ca  

Sole proprietorship offering tax and financial planning service

Financial advisor.  

Dual licensed investment/insurance advisor. I hold myself out through the financial planning subsiduary of our local credit union.

Early in my career as a financial security advisor, I
learned a very valuable lesson; the work I do when one of my clients passes
away is some of the most important work that I can do.

Becoming a CEA has increased the support I can offer my
clients. My ideal client wants to make the executor’s job as easy as
possible. They understand by reviewing what they want to happen when
they die will help their executor perform their required duties. Being an
executor is a job no one wants; a friend or loved one must pass away for it to
start. There is no training for the role and often minimal support. My process
helps the client identify ways to make the executor’s job easier. We also
involve the future executor to help them prepare and understand the magnitude
of their role.

Founder & CEO of Viive Planning - a collaborative aging & end-of-life planning company. 

A female entrepreneur who strives to unite families, create open & honest conversation amongst loved ones and change a societal mindset about aging & end-of-life planning. An empathetic listener with a trustworthy ear who excels at problem solving. A dynamic leader of her generation who understands the road ahead and wants to positively impact it, not only for her own generation, but also the generations before her and after her. A collaborative planner who welcomes input from others.

Since 1998 I have been helping my clients' families turn their financial dreams into achievable financial goals.   I have a strong belief in continually upgrading my Financial Planning skills to better service my clients' needs. Over the years I have attained numerous Financial designations, to insure I  guide my clients through all of life's episodes (good or bad) so they can Maximize financial Gains, feel confident they are making the right decisions and supported through out.

My office is in Etobicoke at Burnamthorpe and HWY 427.

In addition to the Certified Executive Advisor designation, I hold an MBA, have completed the Canadian Securities Course, and have 35 years of work experience as a corporate and commercial banker in both Toronto and Ottawa (now retired).

Through personal experience I have noticed that many executors are ill equipped to manage their role. My goals are to:

1. Advise executors as they manage and direct the estate settlement process. The executor’s role is often daunting and lengthy. I can help executors complete the estate settlement process with less stress and more efficiently by being a source of information and direction.
2. Advise testators (i.e. the creator of a will) on the information and documentation they should assemble so that it is readily accessible to the executor when the executor takes over the estate. As you can imagine, an executor who is well-informed and prepared the moment they commence their duties is much better positioned for success than would otherwise be the case.
3. Help individuals who have agreed to be named as an executor in a will to work with the testator to assemble the same information referred to above. 

If you know of anyone who would benefit from the kind of help I can provide, please feel free to recommend me and put me in touch with them. I too will be looking to refer opportunities to legal, accounting and other professional advisors.