Your Estate Matters

Episode 64 - How Executors Can Avoid Insolvent Estate Pitfalls with John Sandrelli

In this episode of Your Estate Matters, Nicole speaks with John Sandrelli, a seasoned restructuring and insolvency expert, about the complexities of insolvent estates in Canada. With consumer debt reaching a record $2.6 trillion, John explains why this issue is becoming increasingly relevant. He outlines the warning signs executors should watch for, the serious personal liability risks they face, and the critical choice between administering an estate under BC's WESA or the federal Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act. John also covers exempt assets, creditor priorities, family law intersections, and emphasizes that seeking professional advice early is essential for any executor navigating an insolvent estate. -- Follow John Sandrelli: Website - https://www.dentons.com/en/john-sandrelli [https://www.dentons.com/en/john-sandrelli] LinkedIn - https://ca.linkedin.com/in/johnsandrelli [https://ca.linkedin.com/in/johnsandrelli] Follow Heritage Trust: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heritagetrustbc/https://www.instagram.com/heritagetrustbc/ [https://www.instagram.com/heritagetrustbc/] Website - https://heritagetrustcompany.ca/https://heritagetrustcompany.ca/ [https://heritagetrustcompany.ca/] Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@heritagetrustco [https://www.youtube.com/@heritagetrustco]   Get the Essential Estate Planning Checklist for Canadians: https://www.estateclub.ca/estate-planning-checklist [https://www.estateclub.ca/estate-planning-checklist]

Episode 63 - Breaking the Inner Glass Ceiling with Jen Murtagh

In this episode of Your Estate Matters, Nicole speaks with Jen Murtagh, co-founder of Maturn and creator of the Brave Connectedness framework that she employs in her coaching practice Jen Murtagh Coaching. Jen shares her journey from C-suite executive to entrepreneur, shaped by burnout, divorce, and a life-changing heart disease diagnosis. Together, they explore how midlife transitions — retirement, caregiving, widowhood, and menopause — affect both identity and life planning. Jen encourages listeners to embrace small acts of bravery, lean into community, and do meaningful inner work, reminding us that reinvention is possible at any age and that it's never too late to live with greater intention. -- Follow Jen Murtagh: Jen Murtagh Coaching - https://www.jenmurtagh.com/ [https://www.jenmurtagh.com/] Maturn - https://maturn.com/meet-the-founders/ [https://maturn.com/meet-the-founders/] LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenmurtagh/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenmurtagh/] Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jenmurtaghcoaching/ [https://www.instagram.com/jenmurtaghcoaching/] Follow Heritage Trust: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heritagetrustbc/https://www.instagram.com/heritagetrustbc/ [https://www.instagram.com/heritagetrustbc/] Website - https://heritagetrustcompany.ca/https://heritagetrustcompany.ca/ [https://heritagetrustcompany.ca/] Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@heritagetrustco [https://www.youtube.com/@heritagetrustco]   Get the Essential Estate Planning Checklist for Canadians: https://www.estateclub.ca/estate-planning-checklist [https://www.estateclub.ca/estate-planning-checklist]

Episode 62 - Secrets to Money and Relationship Harmony with Alyson Jones

In this week's episode, Nicole speaks with renowned therapist Alyson Jones about the complex relationship between money and couples. Together, they explore why financial conversations are so difficult, touching on emotional history, gender dynamics, power imbalances, and the taboo surrounding money. Alyson offers practical advice for improving communication, including regular financial check-ins, approaching discussions with curiosity and empathy, and recognizing warning signs of financial abuse. She also addresses how midlife transitions — retirement, supporting adult children, and estate planning — make open, respectful money conversations more important than ever. -- Follow Alyson Jones: Website - https://www.alysonjones.ca/ [https://www.alysonjones.ca/] Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/alysonjonesassociates/ [https://www.instagram.com/alysonjonesassociates/] LinkedIn - https://ca.linkedin.com/in/alyson-jones-13297930 [https://ca.linkedin.com/in/alyson-jones-13297930] Follow Heritage Trust: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heritagetrustbc/https://www.instagram.com/heritagetrustbc/ [https://www.instagram.com/heritagetrustbc/] Website - https://heritagetrustcompany.ca/https://heritagetrustcompany.ca/ [https://heritagetrustcompany.ca/] Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@heritagetrustco [https://www.youtube.com/@heritagetrustco]   Get the Essential Estate Planning Checklist for Canadians: https://www.estateclub.ca/estate-planning-checklist [https://www.estateclub.ca/estate-planning-checklist]

Episode 61 - Understanding Cross-Border Tax and Estate Planning with Jonah Spiegelman

In this episode of Your Estate Matters, Nicole speaks with cross-border estate planning expert Jonah Spiegelman of Polaris Tax Counsel [https://polaristax.com/jonah-spiegelman/]. Together, they explore the complex tax and legal challenges facing U.S. citizens living in Canada and Canadians with U.S. ties. Topics include annual U.S. filing obligations, estate and gift tax interactions, registered accounts like TFSAs and RRSPs, U.S. real estate ownership, and the pitfalls of improper estate planning. Jonah emphasizes that personalized, knowledgeable advice is essential to avoid costly mistakes, double taxation, and penalties for those navigating life on both sides of the border. -- Follow Jonah Spiegelman: Website - http://jspiegelman.com/attorneys/jonah-z-spiegelman/ [http://jspiegelman.com/attorneys/jonah-z-spiegelman/] Polaris Tax Counsel - https://polaristax.com/jonah-spiegelman/ [https://polaristax.com/jonah-spiegelman/] LinkedIn - https://ca.linkedin.com/in/jonahspiegelman [https://ca.linkedin.com/in/jonahspiegelman] Follow Heritage Trust: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heritagetrustbc/https://www.instagram.com/heritagetrustbc/ [https://www.instagram.com/heritagetrustbc/] Website - https://heritagetrustcompany.ca/https://heritagetrustcompany.ca/ [https://heritagetrustcompany.ca/] Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@heritagetrustco [https://www.youtube.com/@heritagetrustco]   Get the Essential Estate Planning Checklist for Canadians: https://www.estateclub.ca/estate-planning-checklist [https://www.estateclub.ca/estate-planning-checklist]

Episode 60 - How to Safeguard Your Disabled Loved Ones in Your Estate Plan with Hugh McLellan

In this week's episode of Your Estate Matters, Nicole welcomes elder law expert Hugh McLellan to discuss estate planning for disabled beneficiaries in British Columbia. They explore the complexities of protecting inheritances and government benefits, the importance of trusts, and the role of representation agreements. Hugh highlights the need for early, individualized planning and explains the current legal framework, including guardianship laws and the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP). The episode offers practical advice and emphasizes the value of professional guidance to help families secure their loved ones’ futures. -- Links: Follow Hugh McLellan: Website - https://mclellanherbert.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/hugh-mclellan-aa0b8b26/ Follow Heritage Trust: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heritagetrustbc/https://www.instagram.com/heritagetrustbc/ [https://www.instagram.com/heritagetrustbc/] Website - https://heritagetrustcompany.ca/https://heritagetrustcompany.ca/ [https://heritagetrustcompany.ca/] Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@heritagetrustco [https://www.youtube.com/@heritagetrustco] Get the Essential Estate Planning Checklist for Canadians: https://www.estateclub.ca/estate-planning-checklist [https://www.estateclub.ca/estate-planning-checklist] Financial and Legal Tools/Programs Community Living British Columbia - https://www.communitylivingbc.ca/ [https://www.communitylivingbc.ca/] PLAN (Lifetime Advocacy Network) - https://plan.ca/ [https://plan.ca/] Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) - https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/programs/disability/savings.html [https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/programs/disability/savings.html] Disability Tax Credit - https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/segments/tax-credits-deductions-persons-disabilities/disability-tax-credit.html [https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/segments/tax-credits-deductions-persons-disabilities/disability-tax-credit.html] Section 7 Representation Agreement - https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/managing-your-health/incapacity-planning [https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/managing-your-health/incapacity-planning] British Columbia Disability Benefits Program - https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/family-social-supports/services-for-people-with-disabilities/disability-assistance [https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/family-social-supports/services-for-people-with-disabilities/disability-assistance] Books Financial and Estate Planning for the Mature Client in British Columbia - https://store.lexisnexis.ca/en/categories/shop-by-jurisdiction/british-columbia-9/financial-and-estate-planning-for-the-mature-client-in-british-columbia-skusku-cad-00035/details [https://store.lexisnexis.ca/en/categories/shop-by-jurisdiction/british-columbia-9/financial-and-estate-planning-for-the-mature-client-in-british-columbia-skusku-cad-00035/details]