Your Estate Matters Podcast
Hosted by Nicole Garton and Greg Brennand of Heritage Trust Company Inc. , Your Estate Matters is a podcast dedicated to everything estates, including wills, trusts, probate, guardianship, powers of attorney, health care directives, wealth creation, asset protection, taxes, charitable giving and building and preserving your legacy. If it's estate related, we'll be talking about it! We’re having the conversations today that will help Canadians protect their families, their assets and their legacies tomorrow.
Whether you are planning your own estate or are an executor for someone elses, Heritage Trust can help. If you would like more information about Heritage Trust, please visit our website at heritagetrustcompany.ca or schedule a meeting to speak with us.
Episode 17 - Understanding the Complexities of Wealth Transition with Cindy Radu
In this week's episode, Nicole and Greg welcome Cindy Radu, a family wealth transition advisor, to discuss the intricate journey of wealth transition and the importance of understanding wealth holistically. Cindy shares her unique career path and emphasizes the significance of governance structures, family dynamics, and the multifaceted nature of wealth, which includes social, human, intellectual, and foundational aspects. She provides insights into effective governance, the role of family charters, and the need for open communication and education to preserve family legacies across generations.
Episode 16 - Navigating the Emotional Labyrinth of Estate Settlements with Susan Mendel
In this week's episode Nicole and Greg discuss estate settlement services with guest Susan Mendel, co-owner of True North Executor Solutions. Susan shares her personal experiences with grief, which have shaped her empathetic approach to estate management. The episode covers the complexities of managing physical assets, dealing with hoarding, navigating family dynamics, and the importance of thorough record-keeping. Susan also offers practical advice for families preparing for estate management and highlights the growing demand for professional estate settlement services.
Episode 15 - How Professional Financial Advice Can Transform Your Estate Planning with Brian Brotherston
In this week's episode, Nicole and Greg discuss the importance of financial planning and estate management with Brian Brotherston, an experienced financial planner and owner of Watershed Financial Solutions. Brian shares insights on how tailored financial advice can help Canadians navigate complex financial decisions, emphasizing the role of insurance, segregated funds, and trusts in effective estate planning. The conversation covers the benefits of professional guidance, the significance of starting early, and the importance of preserving wealth for future generations. The episode concludes with practical tips and resources for enhancing financial literacy and making informed financial decisions.
Episode 14 - Understanding Family Office Essentials for Lasting Success with Steve Ivacko
In this week's episode, Nicole and Greg discuss family offices with guest Steve Ivacko, a partner at MNP Family Office Services. Steve, with nearly 20 years of experience, explains the structure and benefits of single-family and multi-family offices. He highlights the services offered, such as transition, mapping, and administrative support, and clarifies that family offices are not just for the ultra-wealthy but for any family with complex financial and personal needs. The episode also covers the costs, trends, and future of family offices, emphasizing the importance of both technical and emotional support.
Episode 13 - Navigating Tax Implications of Estate Planning with Rebecca Cynader
In this week's episode, co-hosts Nicole and Greg are joined by Rebecca Schneider, a tax lawyer and partner at Scion Law LLP. The discussion delves into the complexities of estate planning under Canadian tax law, focusing on the tax implications of death, including deemed disposition, capital gains, and spousal rollovers. Rebecca explains strategies to mitigate taxes, such as postmortem planning, multiple wills, and the pipeline strategy. The episode emphasizes the importance of proactive estate planning and collaboration among advisors to protect families, assets, and legacies.
Episode 12 - Understanding the Role of Notaries with Lilián Cazacu
In this episode, Nicole and Greg chat with Lilián Cazacu, an award-winning notary public and entrepreneur in the Fraser Valley. Lillian shares his journey from being a trained lawyer in Europe to becoming a notary public in Canada, discussing the challenges faced by immigrants and the importance of community involvement. The episode explores the differences between notaries and lawyers, the services notaries provide, and the significance of professional help in estate planning. Lillian also emphasizes the need for better support for skilled immigrants and recent regulatory changes improving access to justice.
Episode 11 - From Control to Collaboration: Mastering Family Business Succession with David Diebolt
In today's episode, Nicole and Greg discuss succession planning for family businesses with David Diebolt, a partner at Manning Elliott LLP. David shares his journey into accounting and emphasizes the importance of early and strategic planning for business transitions. The conversation highlights the significant role of SMEs in Canada's economy and the challenges faced by business owners, such as emotional attachment and poor communication. Diebold outlines best practices, including starting early, engaging professional advisors, and implementing governance structures, and discusses tax mitigation strategies to ensure smooth business transitions.
Episode 10 - Unlocking the True Value of Family Legacy with Grant Conroy
In this episode, Nicole and Greg discuss digital asset planning with Geoff Costello, a Vancouver-based lawyer and digital asset expert. The conversation covers the nature of digital assets, focusing on cryptocurrencies and NFTs. Jeff explains the decentralized nature of cryptocurrencies, the role of cryptography, and the concept of mining. He highlights challenges in estate administration, the evolving legal landscape, and offers recommendations for ensuring families can access digital assets in case of incapacity or death. The episode emphasizes the importance of proper planning and organization for digital assets in estate planning.
Episode 09 - Don’t Let Your Crypto Go to the Grave: Estate Planning for Digital Assets with Geoff Costeloe
In this episode, Nicole and Greg discuss digital asset planning with Geoff Costello, a Vancouver-based lawyer and digital asset expert. The conversation covers the nature of digital assets, focusing on cryptocurrencies and NFTs. Jeff explains the decentralized nature of cryptocurrencies, the role of cryptography, and the concept of mining. He highlights challenges in estate administration, the evolving legal landscape, and offers recommendations for ensuring families can access digital assets in case of incapacity or death. The episode emphasizes the importance of proper planning and organization for digital assets in estate planning.
Episode 08 - From Disputes to Decisions: The Role of Business Valuation in Estates with Kiu Ghanavizchian
In this episode of Your Estate Matters, Greg and Nicole discuss the critical role of business valuation in estate planning with Chartered Business Valuator Kiu Ghanavizchian. They explore the importance of accurate valuations, the challenges faced in the process, and creative solutions for disputes. The conversation also touches on succession planning, shareholder agreements, and interesting valuation cases, providing valuable insights for listeners involved in estate matters.
Episode 07 - The Crucial Role of Financial Planners with Sandy Abley
In this episode of Your Estate Matters, Greg and Nicole discuss the importance of financial planning in the context of estate management with Sandy Abley, a certified financial planner and estate lawyer. The conversation covers various aspects of estate planning, including the role of financial planners, building a team of advisors, understanding financial designations, and the significance of life events in financial planning. Sandy emphasizes the importance of proactive financial education and the benefits of gifting during one's lifetime to witness the impact on beneficiaries.
Episode 06: The Executor's Role with Jeffrey Bichard
In this episode of Your Estate Matters, Nicole and Greg discuss the intricacies of estate administration with expert Jeff Bichard from Scion Law LLP. The conversation covers the role and responsibilities of an executor, the probate process, and the importance of proper estate planning. Listeners gain insights into the duties of executors, including managing assets, paying debts, and ensuring fair distribution to beneficiaries. The episode also addresses the complexities of funeral arrangements, executor fees, and the implications of dying without a will, providing valuable resources for those navigating estate matters.
Episode 05: Building Your Estate Planning Team with Navrita Brar
In this episode of Your Estate Matters, Nicole and Greg discuss the importance of estate planning with lawyer Navrita Brar. They explore the demographics of estate planning in Canada, the essential documents needed, complexities such as blended families, and the importance of building a reliable team of advisors. The conversation also covers the costs associated with estate planning and the potential financial and emotional toll of not having a plan in place. The episode emphasizes the need for open family discussions to ensure a smooth estate planning process.
Episode 04: War Stories From the Field
In this episode of Your Estate Matters, Nicole and Greg delve into the complexities of estate administration, sharing intriguing and sometimes bizarre scenarios they've encountered. They discuss the process of exhuming bodies for DNA testing in cases of intestacy, unusual funeral requests, family conflicts that arise during estate settlements, and the critical importance of proper estate planning to avoid future disputes and complications. The conversation emphasizes the need for individuals to take proactive steps in planning their estates to protect their families and legacies.
Episode 03: The Pros and Cons of Professional Executors
In this episode of Your Estate Matters, Greg and Nicole discuss the importance of professional executors in estate planning. They explore various scenarios where a professional executor may be necessary, the benefits of hiring one, such as professionalism and neutrality, as well as the potential downsides. The conversation emphasizes the need for families to weigh the pros and cons of appointing a professional executor based on their unique circumstances.
Episode 02: Selling an Estate Property with Allison Gorwill
In this episode, Nicole and Greg discuss estate property sales with Allison Gorwill, a realtor and mortgage broker from Sotheby's International Realty Canada. The conversation covers selecting a knowledgeable realtor, understanding the probate process, and the executor's responsibilities in preparing an estate property for sale. Allison emphasizes the importance of necessary documentation, property assessments, and staging. The episode provides valuable insights into the costs and steps involved in selling an estate property, aiming to guide listeners through the complexities of the process.
Episode 01: What to do with Inherited Clutter?
Our guest is Linda Chu, a seasoned professional organizer and move manager with a passion for bringing order to chaos. With over two decades of experience in the industry, Linda has honed her skills in decluttering, organizing, and facilitating smooth relocations for her clients. Her commitment to creating functional, harmonious spaces stems from her belief that a well-organized environment fosters peace of mind and enhances overall well-being.
Linda is the founder of the BC Chapter of Professional Organizers in Canada and the founder of her company Out of Chaos. Out of Chaos offers comprehensive professional organizing services for home and office, plus training programs, workshops and tools for more organized living and working.