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End‑of‑Life Planning, Mortality & Readiness
What if the most important plan you will ever make is the one you keep putting off?
In this first episode of Are You Ready?, host Neil Cockburn, Director of Family Enterprise Advisory Services at Kingston Ross Pasnak, explores one of the most overlooked but critical areas of readiness planning: wills, estate planning, and end-of-life preparation. Drawing on decades of experience advising business owners and families, Neil introduces two guiding principles that shape effective planning. Be proactive and begin with the end in mind. These ideas set the foundation for thoughtful decisions that can significantly impact the people you care about most.
Neil is joined by Greg Barnsdale, a Certified Financial Planner and licensed funeral director, who brings a rare and powerful perspective to the conversation. Greg shares why so many Canadians delay estate planning, despite the reality that more than half do not have an up-to-date will. He also reflects on his own experience with a life-altering brain tumour diagnosis, which deepened his belief in the importance of preparing early. Together, they discuss the emotional challenges of these conversations, the need for professional guidance, and the role communication plays in ensuring a plan actually works when it is needed.
This episode is a reminder that readiness is not about fear. It is about clarity, preparation, and care for those you leave behind. When planning is done well, it reduces stress, supports better outcomes, and allows families the space to focus on what matters most during difficult times.
About Neil Cockburn
Neil Cockburn is a Chartered Professional Accountant (FCPA), Family Enterprise Advisor (FEA), and Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP), and the Director of Family Enterprise Advisory Services at Kingston Ross Pasnak LLP. With more than 40 years of experience working alongside business owners and family enterprises, Neil specializes in succession planning, intergenerational wealth transition, and estate strategy. He is known for helping families navigate complex transitions with clarity and confidence—always grounded in one central question: Are you ready for what comes next?
To learn more and connect with Neil Cockburn of Kingston Ross Pasnak, please visit: https://www.krpgroup.com/our-people/neil-cockburn
This video podcast series is proudly produced by the team at Road 55 - located in Edmonton, Alberta.
For more information, please visit: www.road55.ca
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By Kingston Ross PasnakWhat if the most important plan you will ever make is the one you keep putting off?
In this first episode of Are You Ready?, host Neil Cockburn, Director of Family Enterprise Advisory Services at Kingston Ross Pasnak, explores one of the most overlooked but critical areas of readiness planning: wills, estate planning, and end-of-life preparation. Drawing on decades of experience advising business owners and families, Neil introduces two guiding principles that shape effective planning. Be proactive and begin with the end in mind. These ideas set the foundation for thoughtful decisions that can significantly impact the people you care about most.
Neil is joined by Greg Barnsdale, a Certified Financial Planner and licensed funeral director, who brings a rare and powerful perspective to the conversation. Greg shares why so many Canadians delay estate planning, despite the reality that more than half do not have an up-to-date will. He also reflects on his own experience with a life-altering brain tumour diagnosis, which deepened his belief in the importance of preparing early. Together, they discuss the emotional challenges of these conversations, the need for professional guidance, and the role communication plays in ensuring a plan actually works when it is needed.
This episode is a reminder that readiness is not about fear. It is about clarity, preparation, and care for those you leave behind. When planning is done well, it reduces stress, supports better outcomes, and allows families the space to focus on what matters most during difficult times.
About Neil Cockburn
Neil Cockburn is a Chartered Professional Accountant (FCPA), Family Enterprise Advisor (FEA), and Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP), and the Director of Family Enterprise Advisory Services at Kingston Ross Pasnak LLP. With more than 40 years of experience working alongside business owners and family enterprises, Neil specializes in succession planning, intergenerational wealth transition, and estate strategy. He is known for helping families navigate complex transitions with clarity and confidence—always grounded in one central question: Are you ready for what comes next?
To learn more and connect with Neil Cockburn of Kingston Ross Pasnak, please visit: https://www.krpgroup.com/our-people/neil-cockburn
This video podcast series is proudly produced by the team at Road 55 - located in Edmonton, Alberta.
For more information, please visit: www.road55.ca