Meet Nancy
I founded NEXsteps to help people prepare for and navigate the practical realities of estate planning and estate administration, with clarity and care. Much of this work happens quietly, long before legal documents are needed, and often at moments when individuals and families are juggling uncertainty, responsibility, and emotion.
My role is to help people get organized, understand what matters, and take thoughtful next steps. That may involve reviewing existing plans, supporting executors, or helping individuals think through decisions they have been putting off because they feel complex or uncomfortable.
I approach this work with a focus on preparation rather than crisis, and on practical guidance rather than theory. My goal is to make the process feel manageable, grounded, and aligned with the life someone has lived, the legacy they want to leave, and the people they care about.
How I Work, And Why
I came to this work through experience, not theory. I have seen firsthand how challenging estate and care-related matters can become, not only when plans are unclear or outdated, but when someone steps into a role such as power of attorney or executor without fully understanding what will be required of them. Managing institutions, bureaucracy, and unfamiliar processes while making time-sensitive decisions can be overwhelming, particularly when responsibilities arrive during periods of stress or change.
My work focuses on helping people prepare earlier, before situations become urgent. That means organizing information, clarifying responsibilities, and talking through the practical decisions that often fall to powers of attorney, executors, and trusted family members. This kind of preparation helps ensure that when legal documents are created or updated, they are based on clearer thinking, realistic expectations, and fewer assumptions. When roles and expectations are understood in advance, it reduces confusion and pressure later.
Before founding NEXsteps, I worked for many years in communications-focused roles. That experience shapes how I approach this work today. I pay close attention to how information is shared, where misunderstandings tend to arise, and how easily people can feel overwhelmed when processes are unclear. Clear language and thoughtful structure are not optional in estate work; they are essential.
Throughout my work, I am careful to stay within appropriate boundaries. I do not provide legal, financial, or tax advice. Instead, I help people understand what they already have in place, where gaps may exist, and when it may be time to involve other professionals. I can work alongside a client’s existing legal, financial, or care professionals, or, when helpful, coordinate with professionals within my own network to support the process.
Credentials
Certified Executor Advisor (CEA)
This designation focuses on the practical realities of estate settlement and the responsibilities executors often underestimate. Executors are frequently required to deal with multiple institutions, systems, and professionals, often without a clear understanding of how the pieces fit together. As a Certified Executor Advisor, my role is to help executors and those planning ahead understand what is likely to be involved, identify potential issues early, and recognize when it may be time to involve other professionals. This work is practical and preparatory, aimed at reducing confusion, delays, and unnecessary stress.
Personal Fiduciary Certification
This certification reflects a formal commitment to acting with care, accountability, and integrity when supporting others in roles that involve trust and responsibility. It aligns closely with the expectations placed on executors and powers of attorney who are acting on behalf of someone else.
Additional professional background and credentials are available here.
Training and background
I have completed additional training focused on communication and decision-making to better support people as they work through complex or emotionally difficult topics. This includes Brain Story certification, which helps me recognize how stress, uncertainty, and life transitions can affect how people absorb information and make decisions.
My background also includes training related to working with individuals affected by trauma, cognitive decline, and dementia. This supports a more patient, thoughtful approach when conversations, decision-making, or capacity issues are involved, and helps ensure people feel respected and supported throughout the process.
In addition, IFIC training has provided a strong foundation in financial literacy and an understanding of the financial concepts and documentation commonly encountered in estate and executor matters. This background allows me to support practical discussions, help people organize financial information, and prepare thoughtful questions when working with their own financial professionals.
I am a Commissioner for Oaths in Alberta, which allows me to assist with the commissioning of certain documents as part of the planning and organization process, where appropriate.
