Just want to give an example of "mistakes" the professionals make... My husband dies, bills are coming in fast and furious, so I contact the person who had been his advisor for 20 years (with one of the six big banks) and state my intention to take money our of my TFSA to pay for the bills. Sure, she says, no problem, money will be transferred to your account within a few days. Do you think this advisor bothered to tell me that, as my husband hadn't yet taken the minimum out of his LIF that year, and as he had named me successor annuitant, I could have immediate access to that money? Not only did she not tell me, but when I learned of her "mistake" and told her I wanted that year's LIF minimum transferred to my account immediately, she tried to stop me from doing so by saying that I couldn't access that money until the will had been probated! Fortunately, I had learned by then my rights as "successor annuitant". Thanks for all the good hints from everyone, they're all so very helpful.