Estates Made Simple
Welcome to the “Estates Made Simple” Podcast, hosted by Gordon VanderLeek, a licensed lawyer specializing in wills, estates and trusts, and Jenna Carvalho, an estate and trust consultant with over 10 years experience helping families secure their assets and plan for the future. We are a bi-weekly podcast that discusses the complicated and often confusing world of estate administration. Our goal is to provide you with the insight, knowledge and resources to help you navigate this complex process. Every episode we bring our unique perspective to provide listeners with unbiased information and practical tips to ensure success and mitigate risk. Even if you are not an executor, there will be topics of interest as you consider planning options for your own estate. Join us for helpful tips and important information on navigating estate administration so you can achieve peace of mind as an executor or administrator.
Estates Made Simple
Gordon in the Hot Seat
Episode Summary
In this episode, Gordon VanderLeek takes the hot seat while co-host Jenna Carvalho fires off some of the most common estate administration and planning questions we’ve heard over the past year. With a one-minute time limit per question (yes, Gord had bumper rails this time), listeners get quick, clear answers to the issues that come up most often.
This episode is perfect for anyone who wants a fast-paced overview of tricky estate topics without the legal jargon.
Key Discussion Points
1. The real reasons estate administration often takes longer than expected.
2. How and when executors receive compensation for their work.
3. Why it’s important to speak with your chosen executor ahead of time.
4. Best practices for storing wills and estate documents safely.
5. Situations where probate is required to access or manage assets.
6. The costs of probate in Alberta and how they compare nationally.
7. Essential qualities of an effective executor.
Key Takeaways
· Estate timelines often hinge on banks, CRA, and other third parties.
· Executor compensation typically happens at the end of the process.
· Naming an executor without asking first can create major problems later.
· Keep original estate documents safe, and make sure your executor knows where they are.
· Probate is about proving authority to act—it’s not always optional.
· Alberta’s probate fee is currently $525, the lowest in Canada.
· A strong executor is trustworthy, has time, and makes sound decisions.
Hosts:
Jenna Carvalho
The smartest way to choose an executor.
Guardian Estate Company
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Gordon VanderLeek
Give your family a legacy of protection - Wills, Estates and Trusts.
VanderLeek Law
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