In this episode of Your Estate Matters, Nicole and Greg sit down with Rebecca Pauls, Executive Director of the Plan Lifetime Advocacy Network (PLAN). Rebecca shares how PLAN helps families answer one of the hardest questions they’ll ever face: What will happen to my loved one with a disability when I’m no longer here?

From the power of personal support networks to practical tools like representation agreements, discretionary trusts, and the Registered Disability Savings Plan, Rebecca explains how families can create lasting security and genuine belonging for their loved ones. She also highlights the emotional side of future planning, the risks of isolation, and why starting early is the greatest gift you can give.

This episode shines a light on both the practical steps and the human connections that make estate planning truly effective

--

Follow Rebecca Pauls:

Website - https://plan.ca/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-pauls-58473b48

Follow Heritage Trust:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heritagetrustbc/

Website - https://heritagetrustcompany.ca/

Get the Essential Estate Planning Checklist for Canadians:

https://www.estateclub.ca/estate-planning-checklist

In this heartfelt episode of Your Estate Matters, Nicole and Greg sit down with Yolanda Benoit, Director of Wills & Estate Gifts at the BC SPCA, to explore how planned giving can protect animals for generations to come. From funding emergency food banks and life-saving veterinary care to building facilities for rescued cats and traumatized dogs, Yolanda shares moving stories of donors whose legacies continue to change lives. Learn the surprising ways you can support animal welfare beyond cash gifts, why clear will wording matters, and how the BC SPCA is tackling the root causes of animal suffering. Whether you’re an animal lover or just curious about meaningful giving, this conversation will inspire you to think differently about your own legacy.

--

Follow Yolanda Benoit:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/yolanda-b-38b08210

Website - https://spca.bc.ca/

Follow Heritage Trust:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heritagetrustbc/

Website - https://heritagetrustcompany.ca/

Get the Essential Estate Planning Checklist for Canadians:

https://www.estateclub.ca/estate-planning-checklist

In today's episode, Greg and Nicole welcome Alex Muir, Chair of Metro Vancouver’s Dying With Dignity Canada. Together, they discuss the evolution of Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) in Canada, eligibility criteria, and the importance of advanced care planning. Alex shares personal insights, addresses common myths, and highlights the organization’s role in supporting informed end-of-life choices. The conversation emphasizes balancing autonomy with safeguards, and encourages open family discussions about end-of-life wishes to ensure dignity and clarity for all Canadians.

--

Follow Alex Muir:

Website - https://www.dyingwithdignity.ca/

LinkedIn - https://ca.linkedin.com/in/alex-muir-b3b6ba21

Follow Heritage Trust:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heritagetrustbc/

Website - https://heritagetrustcompany.ca/

Get the Essential Estate Planning Checklist for Canadians:

https://www.estateclub.ca/estate-planning-checklist

In this powerful episode of Your Estate Matters, Nicole and Greg sit down with Liz Charyna, Executive Director of Pathways Serious Mental Illness Society. Charyna addresses an often overlooked aspect of estate planning: considerations for mental illness. From navigating stigma and treatment gaps to preparing legal documents like representation agreements and trusts, Liz offers practical and compassionate insight for families facing serious mental health challenges.

What is the difference between mental health and serious mental illness? How can estate planning provide stability and peace of mind for caregivers and loved ones? And why is early incapacity planning one of the most overlooked, yet vital, steps in supporting those we love? Tune in to explore the human side of legacy planning in a conversation that is both eye-opening and deeply needed.

--

Follow Liz Charyna:

Website - https://pathwayssmi.org/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizcharyna

Follow Heritage Trust:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heritagetrustbc/

Website - https://heritagetrustcompany.ca/

Get the Essential Estate Planning Checklist for Canadians:

https://www.estateclub.ca/estate-planning-checklist

When it comes to estate planning, unique assets like fine art, vintage wine, rare watches, and even Egyptian antiquities come with more than just sentimental value - they come with complications. In this episode of Your Estate Matters, Nicole and Greg are joined by Steven Joe, Senior Financial Planner at Assante Financial Management, who dives deep into the world of collectible wealth.

From $5,000 bottles of spoiled wine to heirs feuding over doilies, Steven shares real-life stories and expert advice on how to preserve, protect, and pass down your prized possessions without creating chaos. Tune in to learn how to avoid the hidden pitfalls of alternative assets and why gifting with a “warm hand” might just save your legacy.

--

Follow Steven Joe:

Website - https://stevenjoefinancial.com/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-joe-cpa-ca-cfp

Follow Heritage Trust:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heritagetrustbc/

Website - https://heritagetrustcompany.ca/

Get the Essential Estate Planning Checklist for Canadians:

https://www.estateclub.ca/estate-planning-checklist

In this insightful episode of Your Estate Matters, Nicole and Greg welcome Sabeena Bubber, veteran mortgage broker and founder of The Divorce Circle.

Sabeena unpacks practical wisdom from her decades in the mortgage industry, tackling topics like how mortgages impact estate planning, what happens to real estate debts when someone passes away, and the growing complexities of blended families and divorce on property ownership.

Learn the differences between mortgage insurance and personal life insurance, discover the truths about reverse mortgages, and hear Sabeena’s essential tips for preserving financial stability and building a legacy. Whether you’re planning your estate or navigating big life changes, this episode offers valuable guidance you won’t want to miss.

--

Follow Sabreena Bubber:

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabeena-bubber-9331474

Website - https://www.sabeenabubber.ca/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sabeenab/?hl=en

Follow Heritage Trust:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heritagetrustbc/

Website - https://heritagetrustcompany.ca/

Get the Essential Estate Planning Checklist for Canadians:

https://www.estateclub.ca/estate-planning-checklist

In this episode, Nicole and Greg welcome Holly Palmer, a licensed insolvency trustee with MNP, to discuss managing estates with more debts than assets. Holly explains the roles and responsibilities of executors, how creditor claims are prioritized, and the differences between secured and unsecured debts. The conversation also covers the importance of documenting family loans and clarifies when family members may be liable for a deceased person’s debts. Listeners gain practical insights into handling insolvent estates and the legal considerations involved in these complex situations.

--

Follow Holly Palmer:

LinkedIn - https://ca.linkedin.com/in/holly-palmer-ab84838

Website - https://mnpdebt.ca/en/personnel/holly-palmer

Follow Heritage Trust:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heritagetrustbc/

Website - https://heritagetrustcompany.ca/

Get the Essential Estate Planning Checklist for Canadians:

https://www.estateclub.ca/estate-planning-checklist

In this fascinating episode of Your Estate Matters, Nicole and Greg sit down with Jim Finlay, accredited fine art appraiser and founder of Finlay Fine Art Appraisals. Jim shares his unique journey from architecture to art, and reveals what really goes into valuing fine art collections. How can art collectors protect the value of their investments? What role does provenance play in preserving an artwork’s legacy? And how does Canada’s cultural property export system affect the art market? Tune in for an engaging conversation that blends art, law, and estate planning and discover why fine art is about much more than just beauty on a wall.

Follow Jim Finlay:

Website - https://www.jamesfinlayfineart.com/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-finlay-418b27116 

Follow Heritage Trust:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heritagetrustbc/

Website - https://heritagetrustcompany.ca/

Get the Essential Estate Planning Checklist for Canadians:

https://www.estateclub.ca/estate-planning-checklist

Read less

When families fight over wills and inheritances, the courtroom isn’t the only way forward. In this insightful episode of Your Estate Matters, hosts Nicole and Greg are joined by Edward Macaulay, an experienced estate litigation lawyer and mediator, to unpack the power of mediation in resolving complex estate and elder care disputes.

From strained family dynamics and second marriages to allegations of undue influence and executor challenges, Edward shares real-world scenarios where mediation helped avoid costly court battles. He explains the mediation process, its benefits over litigation, common pitfalls, and how preparation and mindset can make or break a resolution.

Whether you're an executor, a beneficiary, or just planning ahead, this episode is packed with practical wisdom and cautionary tales you won’t want to miss.

Follow Edward Macaulay:

Website - https://www.northshorelaw.com/attorneys-people/edward-macaulay/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/edward-macaulay-36485618 

Follow Heritage Trust:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heritagetrustbc/

Website - https://heritagetrustcompany.ca/

Get the Essential Estate Planning Checklist for Canadians:

https://www.estateclub.ca/estate-planning-checklist

Read less

In today's episode, Nicole and Greg welcome estate lawyer Perminder Tung from Lindsay Kenney LLP to discuss the intersection of cultural traditions and estate planning in Canada. Focusing on challenges within the South Asian community, Perminder shares insights on inheritance customs, legal rights, and the impact of British Columbia’s Wills, Estates and Succession Act.

The conversation highlights the importance of open family dialogue, proactive planning, and community education to ensure fair and equitable estate distribution. Listeners are encouraged to seek professional advice and consider cultural factors in their own estate planning.

--

Follow Perminder Tung:

Website - https://lklaw.ca/our-people/perminder-s-tung/

LinkedIn - https://ca.linkedin.com/in/perminder-s-tung-195b05b

Follow Heritage Trust:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heritagetrustbc/

Website - https://heritagetrustcompany.ca/

Get the Essential Estate Planning Checklist for Canadians:

https://www.estateclub.ca/estate-planning-checklist