Estate planning is rarely a topic families look forward to discussing, yet the financial consequences of ignoring it can be staggering. A new free video series from an Ontario firm aims to demystify the process, starting with a blunt reality check: a will alone is not an estate plan.
Strategic Wealth Protection Partners founder Ron Cooke explains estate planning in Ontario in five free videos for families with complex estates
AURORA, ONTARIO, CANADA, October 26, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Strategic Wealth Protection Partners (SWPP), an estate planning firm based in Aurora, Ontario, has announced the launch of a complimentary five-part video series focused on estate planning in Ontario. The series, hosted by SWPP founder and president Ron Cooke, breaks down how taxes at death function in Canada and outlines steps families can take to preserve more of their wealth for heirs.
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Designed for Ontario families with complex financial situations—particularly business owners and real estate investors—each episode tackles a single common estate planning challenge in straightforward, accessible language. The videos are scheduled for release over the coming eight weeks.
The five estate planning videos are:
7 Estate Planning Strategies Every Canadian Should Know
4 Ways Real Estate Investors Can Avoid a Huge Tax Hit on Death in Canada
4 Ways Wealthy Families Use Life Insurance for Estate Planning
The Truth About Living Trusts in Canada
The 5-Step Estate Planning Process for Wealthy Canadians
While Canada does not impose a formal estate tax, Cooke points out that the government treats a person’s assets as though they were sold on the day of death, with the resulting tax due on the final tax return. To illustrate the potential impact, he cites an example: a $2 million Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) that cannot roll over to a spouse or dependent child is added in full to that final return, potentially generating a tax bill exceeding $1 million.
“Either you write your estate plan, or the government will write it for you,” says Ron Cooke, founder and president of SWPP. “Too many people think they need a trust before they know what problem they’re trying to solve. The first step is finding out what your family would owe if you died tomorrow, and how that bill would be paid.”
The opening video in the series presents seven estate planning strategies relevant to all Canadians, ranging from taking no action at all to implementing an estate freeze. Cooke emphasizes that there is no one-size-fits-all solution; in certain situations, the cost of implementing a strategy may actually exceed the tax savings it was intended to generate.
Cooke also takes aim at a widespread misconception about where estate planning begins. “Most people think estate planning starts with writing a will, but it’s actually one of the last things you should do,” says Cooke. “Your will only controls the assets that pass through your estate. Everyone needs a will, but it isn’t a substitute for an estate plan.”
This observation highlights a broader issue: many Canadians report having a will, yet significantly fewer have a comprehensive estate plan. The video series is intended to help those who are struggling to take the necessary steps to genuinely protect their families and the assets they have accumulated over a lifetime.
Cooke’s path to financial services began in an auto shop, where he worked as a mechanic. He says that experience shaped his professional philosophy: diagnose the problem first, then fix it—an approach he applies to estate planning as well.
The videos are available at no cost in SWPP’s Ontario Estate Planning Video Library and on the Ron Cooke YouTube channel. They are intended for general education purposes only and do not constitute tax, legal, or financial advice. Ontario residents may also book a complimentary 30-minute consultation through the SWPP website.
About Strategic Wealth Protection Partners
Strategic Wealth Protection Partners (SWPP) is an estate planning firm located in Aurora, Ontario, serving families with complex estates, including business owners and real estate investors. Founder and president Ron Cooke is an estate planner and licensed insurance broker with more than 35 years of experience. SWPP coordinates advice from accountants, lawyers, and tax specialists into a single, unified plan. Its Living Estate Plan process focuses on comprehensive estate planning in Ontario with the goal of reducing taxes and probate fees for the next generation.
Disclaimer: This news release is for general information only. It is not tax, legal, financial or insurance advice. Readers should speak with qualified professionals before acting on any information in this release or the video series.
Colette Nichol
Story Envelope Media Inc.
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Why it matters: With Canada’s deemed-disposition rules capable of producing six-figure tax bills on registered accounts alone, the distinction between having a will and having a full estate plan is a financial distinction that can cost families dearly. This series addresses a knowledge gap that leaves many otherwise financially savvy Canadians unprepared for the tax consequences of death.
