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.
Episodes
72 episodes
Gifting While Alive: Navigating Powers of Attorney and Estate Administration
Episode SummaryIn this episode of Estates Made Simple, hosts Gordon VanderLeek and Jenna Carvalho deep dive into one of the more nuanced aspects of estate planning, gifting while someone is still alive under a power of attorney.
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Season 1
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Episode 72
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13:45
Estate Planning After Divorce or Separation
Episode SummaryIn this episode, Gordon and Jenna explore estate planning for divorced and separated couples, one of the most common and complex scenarios in estate law. With nearly half of marriages ending in divorce, this convers...
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Season 1
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Episode 71
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19:58
Estates Gone Badly (Part 2)
Episode SummaryIn this episode, we’re joined again by Michaela Summers, associate lawyer at VanderLeek Law and head of the estate administration department.This is part two of our “Estates Gone Badly” series. There were sim...
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Season 1
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Episode 70
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19:09
Gordon in the Hot Seat
Episode SummaryIn 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 tim...
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Season 1
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Episode 69
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15:02
Estate Planning for Beneficiaries with Special Needs
Episode SummaryIn this episode of Estates Made Simple, hosts Jenna Carvalho and Gordon VanderLeek tackle an important and complex topic: estate planning for beneficiaries with special needs. Gordon draws on both his professional e...
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Season 1
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Episode 68
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25:00
Estates Gone Badly (Part 1): Real Stories, Real Lessons
Episode SummaryIn this eye-opening episode of Estates Made Simple, Gord and Jenna are joined by Michaela Summers to share behind-the-scenes stories of estate files that didn’t go according to plan. These real-life “estate...
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Season 1
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Episode 67
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21:36
Choosing the Right Executor: 5 Reasons You May Need to Reconsider
Episode SummaryIn this insightful episode, Gordon and Jenna explore one of the most pivotal decisions in estate planning: choosing the right executor. While many focus on asset distribution, the choice of executor can make or brea...
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Season 1
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Episode 66
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15:42
Preserving Legacy with Tech: How Trusty Estate Bridges the Estate Gaps
Episode SummaryIn this episode, Gord and Jenna welcome Randy Frisch, a two-time tech founder and CEO of Trusty Estate, to discuss a common challenge in estate planning: what happens to the meaningful, personal items that aren't co...
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Season 1
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Episode 65
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32:16
Should You Tell Your Kids What They’re Inheriting?
Episode SummaryIn this episode, Gord and Jenna explore one of the trickier conversations in estate planning: should you tell your children what they’ll inherit?While disclosure will happen eventually during estate administration, ...
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Season 1
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Episode 64
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12:26
What Happens When an Executor Dies Mid-Estate?
Episode SummaryIn this week’s episode, Gord and Jenna tackle a question many executors (and planners) may not have thought of: What happens when an executor passes away during the administration of an estate?This isn’t ju...
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Season 1
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Episode 63
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8:51
Charitable Giving & Donor-Advised Funds: What Executors Need to Know
Episode SummaryToday we’re diving into the world of charitable giving and the growing role of donor-advised funds (DAFs) in estate administration. Special guest Ian Currie from Canada Gives joins Gordon and Jenna to walk executors...
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Season 1
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Episode 62
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30:55
Digital Assets in Estate Administration with Nicole Garton
Episode SummaryDigital assets are no longer just a tech issue—they’re a legal, financial, and emotional part of modern estate administration. In this episode, Gordon and Jenna are joined by Nicole Garton, a seasoned estates lawyer...
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Season 1
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Episode 61
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25:43
Executor’s Guide to Cross-Border & International Assets
Episode SummaryIn this episode, Gordon and Jenna dive into the complexities of administering estates with international or cross-border assets. Whether it’s a vacation home in Portugal, a U.S. investment account, or a bank ...
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16:03
Estate Organization & Executor Prep: Insights from Melissa Best of Quick Estate
Episode SummaryIn this special guest episode of Estates Made Simple, Gordon and Jenna welcome Melissa Best, a seasoned money manager turned tech entrepreneur, who shares her deep insight into why estate organiza...
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Season 1
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Episode 59
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32:40
Why Executors Should Always Charge a Fee
Episode SummaryIn this episode, Jenna and Gordon tackle a sometimes controversial topic: executor compensation. Many executors feel hesitant about charging a fee, fearing family pushback or concerns about fairness. B...
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Season 1
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Episode 58
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15:57
Working with Charitable Beneficiaries in Estate Administration
Episode SummaryIn this episode, Gordon and Jenna discuss the unique challenges of managing charitable beneficiaries in estate administration. With charitable giving on the rise, executors must understand legal res...
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Season 1
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Episode 57
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14:34
Three Things Executors Often Don’t Know About Estate Administration
Episode SummaryIn this episode, Gordon and Jenna break down three key aspects of estate administration that often surprise executors. While many assume the role is straightforward, there are hidden complexities, legal re...
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Season 1
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Episode 56
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9:08
Stepping Down as an Executor: When & How to Resign
Episode SummaryIn this episode, Gordon and Jenna discuss stepping down as an executor after you’ve already started acting. While renouncing before taking on the role is straightforward, resigning once you've begun administe...
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14:18
Understanding Adjusted Cost Base (ACB) for Executors
Episode SummaryIn this episode, Gordon and Jenna break down the concept of Adjusted Cost Base (ACB) and why it’s critical for executors managing estate assets. They discuss how ACB impacts capital gains tax, the impo...
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Season 1
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Episode 54
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10:10
Disrupting Real Estate: How Bode Canada Helps Executors Sell Property with Robert Price
Episode SummaryGordon and Jenna sit down with Robert Price, CEO of Bode Canada, to explore how executors can sell estate properties faster, with greater transparency, and at lower costs.Bode’s online platform ...
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Season 1
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Episode 53
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28:23
Exercising Executor Discretion: Best Practices and Guiding Principles
Episode SummaryIn this episode of Estates Made Simple, Gordon VanderLeek and Jenna Carvalho tackle an essential topic for executors: exercising discretion when making decisions during estate administration. From ch...
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Season 1
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Episode 52
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10:30
Henson Trusts: Planning for Disabled Beneficiaries
Episode SummaryIn this episode of Estates Made Simple, Gordon VanderLeek and Jenna Carvalho delve into the intricacies of Henson Trusts, focusing on their critical role in estate planning for disabled beneficiaries...
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Season 1
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Episode 51
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18:50
50 Episodes Later- Highlights, Insights, and Gratitude
Episode SummaryIn this special 50th episode of Estates Made Simple, Gordon VanderLeek and Jenna Carvalho reflect on their journey over the past 50 recordings. From early challenges to memorable moments, the duo takes a wa...
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Season 1
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Episode 50
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11:39
Understanding Testamentary Trusts and Creditor Protection
Episode SummaryIn this episode, Gordon and Jenna dive deep into the topic of testamentary trusts and their role in creditor protection. They explore the situations in which establishing a trust as part of an estate p...
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Season 1
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Episode 49
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20:00
Why Are Wills So Long? Understanding the Essential Provisions That Protect Your Estate
Summary:In this episode, we dive deep into the world of wills, exploring the common question: "Why does a will have to be so long?" Our hosts discuss the difference between the unique client-tailored provisions and the standard te...
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Season 1
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Episode 48
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18:02