Your Estate Matters

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 $5,00...

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 di...

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 fam...

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 a...

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 allegation...

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 highlig...

In this compelling episode of Your Estate Matters , Nicole and Greg sit down with Father Tim Prattas, Parish Priest at Sts. Nicholas and Dimitrios Greek Orthodox Community. Father Tim shares how a lifelong calling to the priesthood has shaped his views on responsibility, legacy, and the power of community. How does faith influence the way we approach estate planning and service? What does it reall...

In this week's episode, Nicole and Greg are joined by estate lawyer Katrina Yaworsky from Lindsay Kenney LLP. Together, they explore the fundamentals of estate administration, including the roles and responsibilities of executors, the probate process, and the challenges of managing an estate. Katrina offers practical advice on choosing executors, updating wills, and planning for tax implicatio...

In this episode of Your Estate Matters, Nicole and Greg delve into the complexities of estate planning and tax matters, particularly for Canadians with cross-border interests. They are joined by Areet Kaila, a principal at Legacy Tax + Trust Lawyers, who shares her extensive experience in personal and corporate tax issues. Areet discusses her career journey, approaches to tax planning, and the int...

In this week's episode, Nicole and Greg chat with Aaron Pearl, a seasoned estate litigator from Clark Wilson LLP, to unravel the complexities of defining a "spouse" under British Columbia law. The discussion delves into the nuances of spousal status in estate litigation, particularly in cases of intestacy and wills variation claims. Aaron explains the criteria for a marriage-like relat...

In this week's episode, Nicole and Greg are joined by Rose Shawlee, a seasoned estate planning expert with 15 years of experience and a shareholder at Boughton Law. The discussion delves into the intricacies of estate planning, focusing on the strategic use of multiple wills, the implications of probate fees, and the challenges of managing estates. Rose shares insights from her professional jo...

In this week's episode of Your Estate Matters, Nicole and Greg engage with Catherine Dorazio, a seasoned wealth advisor from Connor Clark & Lunn Private Capital. They explore the growing influence of women in wealth management, noting that women are projected to control significant portions of wealth in the coming years. Catherine discusses the societal and economic impacts of this trend,...

In this week's episode, Nicole and Greg speak with Madison Mailey, a wealth and insurance advisor at Scotia McLeod. Madison, an Olympic gold medalist in rowing, shares her journey into wealth management, emphasizing the importance of financial literacy and proactive planning. The discussion covers strategies for young Canadians to build wealth, including the use of financial tools like the Fir...

In this week's episode, Nicole and Greg chat with Julia Chung, CEO of Spring Planning , to explore the intricacies of estate planning and wealth transfer. Julia shares her expertise on the evolving dynamics of wealth transfer, emphasizing the importance of open family communication and recognizing various forms of wealth beyond financial assets. The discussion highlights the challenges faced b...

This week, Nicole and Greg engage with Tegan Smith, CEO of Channel Consulting and founder of Uplift Fund. Tegan shares her 26 years of expertise in urban planning and real estate development, focusing on real estate investing as a key strategy for family wealth-building. She discusses the challenges in the Canadian real estate market, particularly in British Columbia, and highlights investment opp...

This week, Nicole and Greg welcome Steve Parr, a lawyer and founder of Parr Business Law, to discuss estate planning for business owners. Steve emphasizes the importance of addressing succession planning, incapacity, and death to ensure business longevity. He outlines key components of a succession plan, including identifying successors, training, business valuation, and essential legal documentat...

This week on Your Estate Matters, Nicole and Greg chat with Natasha Knox, a financial therapist and principal of Alaphia Financial Wellness . They explore the unique field of financial therapy, which combines financial planning with therapeutic techniques to address the emotional aspects of money management. Natasha shares her journey into financial therapy, the impact of upbringing on financial b...

In this episode of Your Estate Matters, Nicole and Greg, alongside guest Sarah McGrath from Heritage Trust, explore the benefits of professional executor and trustee services offered by independent trust companies. Sarah, with over 15 years of financial sector experience, explains the advantages of choosing a professional trust company over family members or friends. They discuss the types of trus...

In today's episode, Nicole and Greg chat with Cheyenne Reese, a partner at Legacy Tax and Trust Lawyers, to explore the intricacies of cross-border estate planning between Canada and the United States. Cheyenne sheds light on the significant differences in tax laws, the challenges of managing assets across borders, and the implications for U.S. citizens or green card holders living in Canada....

In this episode of Your Estate Matters, Greg and Nicole chat with Jonathan Beasley, a high net worth relationship manager at Citibank Canada. The trio discuss the intricacies of wealth management for ultra high net worth individuals and families. They explore the definition of ultra high net worth, the role of family offices, the specific needs and goals of wealthy clients, and the landscape of ul...

In this week's episode, Nicole and Greg engage in a compelling discussion with Alyson Jones, a renowned therapist, educator, and bestselling author. Alyson shares her extensive experience in therapy, focusing on family dynamics, separation, divorce, grief, and legacy planning. The conversation highlights the importance of building resilient families, navigating grief, and fostering open discus...

In this week's episode, Nicole Garton and Greg are joined by Stephanie Chan, Founder and CEO of myCareBase Solutions and Home to Home. The discussion centers on elder care solutions for seniors, emphasizing the importance of proactive planning. Stephanie shares insights into the aging population in Canada, the current healthcare and housing options, and the challenges families face. She offers...

In this episode of Your Estate Matters, Nicole and Greg chat with estate litigator Scott Somers from Lindsay Kenney LLP. The trio delve into the complexities of estate litigation in British Columbia and Scott shares his journey into estate law and discusses the challenges of contesting wills, the roles of executors and beneficiaries, and the intersection of family and estate law. The episode empha...

In this episode of Your Estate Matters, hosts Nicole and Greg sit down with expert tax lawyer Parveen Karsan to explore the world of estate tax planning. Join the conversation as they dive into key topics like capital gains tax on assets after death, probate fees, and why getting early tax advice is essential. Parveen shares invaluable strategies to minimize taxes and highlights the importance of...

In this week's episode of Your Estate Matters, Nicole and Greg engage with Christa Ovenell, a licensed funeral director and end-of-life doula. Christa, founder of Death's Apprentice Education and Planning , shares her journey into death care, emphasizing the importance of open conversations about death, advanced care planning, and legacy preparation. The discussion covers the roles of fune...