Tag: Canadian estate planning

A New Year’s Revolution for 2026

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A New Year's Revolution for 2026

Forget New Year’s Resolutions. It’s Time for a New Year’s Revolution.

As we step into 2026, many people are thinking about resolutions. Eat better. Exercise more. Spend less time scrolling.

And while those intentions are well meaning, most of us know how this story goes. A few weeks in, life takes over and those resolutions quietly fade into the background.

This year, I would like to suggest something different. Instead of another resolution, let’s talk about a New Year’s revolution.

Not a loud or dramatic one, but a meaningful shift toward clarity, intention, and peace of mind.

Why Clarity Matters More Than Motivation

Motivation comes and goes. Clarity stays.

When people reach out to me through NEXsteps, it is rarely because they lack motivation. Most already know they should have a will. They know they should name a power of attorney and complete a medical directive. They know they should talk to their family.

What holds them back is uncertainty.

  • Where do I start?
  • What decisions really matter?
  • What happens if I get it wrong?
  • How do I even begin these conversations?

Clarity answers those questions. And once clarity is in place, action becomes much easier.

The Conversations We Keep Postponing

One of the most common regrets I hear from families is not about documents. It’s about the conversations that never happened.

  • Conversations about wishes
  • Conversations about values
  • Conversations about what matters most if something unexpected happens

A New Year’s revolution means deciding that 2026 is the year you stop postponing those discussions. Not because it’s comfortable, but because it’s caring.

Estate planning is not about preparing for death. It’s about protecting the people you love while you are very much alive.

The Foundation Everyone Should Have

You don’t need a complex plan to get started. All you need is a solid foundation.

At a minimum, that foundation includes:

  • A valid will
  • A power of attorney
  • A medical directive or personal directive
  • Clearly named beneficiaries
  • An understanding of who will act for you if you cannot

These documents create direction. They reduce confusion. They give your loved ones confidence when they need it most. And, just as importantly, they give you peace of mind today.

Planning as an Act of Empowerment

There’s a noticeable shift that happens once someone takes these steps.

  • They stop worrying about “what if.”
  • They stop avoiding the topic altogether.
  • They feel more in control of their future.

Planning isn’t restrictive; it’s empowering.

For some, that empowerment includes working with financial professionals to reduce taxes or ensure assets are structured properly. For others, it includes preparing legacy messages for loved ones. Written notes. Recorded stories. Even short videos that capture values, memories, or guidance.

This is the part of planning that turns documents into meaning.

How NEXsteps Supports Your New Year’s Revolution

My role through NEXsteps is not to overwhelm you or rush you through a checklist. It’s about helping you create space for thoughtful planning.

That means:

  • Breaking the process into manageable steps
  • Helping you understand what decisions matter most
  • Supporting difficult conversations with clarity and calm
  • Acting as a guide so you are not navigating this alone

Clarity leads to comfort. Comfort leads to confidence. And confidence brings peace of mind. That’s the real outcome of a New Year’s revolution.

Looking Ahead to 2026

As we move into 2026, my wish for you is simple.

  • Less avoidance
  • More clarity
  • Fewer unanswered questions
  • More confidence in the plan you have in place

Your future does not begin someday. It begins with the choices you make now. If you’re ready to replace resolutions with real progress, I invite you to reach out. I would be happy to help you take the first step.

Here’s to a year built on clarity, intention, and peace of mind.

Warm wishes for a safe, healthy, and meaningful 2026.

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Disclaimer: This content is for general information only and is not legal, financial, medical, or tax advice.

Estate Planning Lessons Hidden in the Walter Boys

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Estate Planning Lessons Hidden in the Walter Boys

What the Walter Boys Teaches About Estate Planning    

The Walter Boys storyline may be fictional, but it highlights very real problems families face when wills and financial protections aren’t up to date. In My Life with the Walter Boys, Jackie loses her parents in a car accident and moves from New York to live with guardians in rural Colorado. Filmed right here in Alberta, the show resonates locally (the real reason why I watched it) but it also shows what happens when planning falls short: no life insurance or trust to provide for her care, and a will written fifteen years earlier that no longer reflects reality.

Pop culture is meant to entertain, but stories like this also hold a mirror up to real life. When we see the gaps on screen, it’s a reminder to close them in our own planning. Here are some takeaway lessons from Walter Boys!

Lesson 1: Financial security isn’t automatic

Jackie’s parents were accomplished: her mother a famous fashion designer, her father a Princeton graduate. Yet there’s no sign of insurance proceeds or a trust to support their daughter. That leaves her guardians, already raising ten children, to take on the cost of raising another.

On screen, this plays out as heartfelt drama. But in reality, failing to provide financial supports can strain budgets, relationships, and even the child’s opportunities.

Lesson 2: An outdated will creates chaos

The series makes it clear: Jackie’s parents wrote their will fifteen years earlier, when her guardians had only three children and her uncle, the alternate, was an unreliable playboy. Fast forward, the guardians now have ten children, and the uncle is older and more settled. But the outdated will still governs Jackie’s future.

Lesson 3: Guardianship needs support, not just goodwill

Jackie’s guardians are loving and willing, but the show makes it clear they are also financially stretched. Taking in another child is more than an emotional commitment — it’s a financial and practical responsibility. Without support, even the best intentions can lead to strain.

Lesson 4: Trusts and beneficiary designations can smooth the path

A basic trust, either in the will (testamentary) or set up during life, can provide structure: funds for the child’s support, rules for distributions, and a trustee to manage assets. Properly named beneficiaries on life insurance and registered accounts can deliver money quickly and outside probate, often the difference between stability and struggle.

Lesson 5: Talk to your people (before life forces the conversation)

Estate planning isn’t just documents. It’s conversations: about values, hopes, and practical realities. If Jackie’s parents had spoken with their chosen guardians (and alternate) and reviewed the plan as life evolved, the transition could have been far less uncertain.

Estate Planning Isn’t Just for the Wealthy

It’s a common misconception that estate planning only matters if you have significant wealth. In reality, it’s about protecting your loved ones, ensuring your wishes are respected, and sparing your family from unnecessary struggles. Whether your estate is modest or substantial, the right planning prevents unnecessary drama.  If you’re not sure how to start, book a one-hour clarity session and start your planning with confidence.

Bringing it home

The Walter Boys may be fictional, but the lessons are real. If Jackie’s parents had purchased insurance, established a trust, and kept their will up to date, her guardians’ love would have been matched with the resources to make it manageable.

Pop culture magnifies these gaps for dramatic effect, but in estate planning, those missing pieces can cause real and lasting harm.

Visit NEXsteps.ca to explore estate and legacy planning resources that protect your family, so the drama stays on screen, not in your life.

Visit our online store  to view our services.

Watch our video here, or watch on our YouTube Channel:

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Please send us your questions or share your comments.

Disclaimer: This content is for general information only and is not legal, financial, medical, or tax advice.

 

Digital Probate Made Easy: Lessons from Alberta’s New Online System

Nancy Boisvert NEXsteps , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
desk with laptop computer open to a probate application screen. Captioned Probate without the paper cuts

Navigating Alberta’s Digital Probate Process: A Simple Guide for Families

If you’ve recently lost a loved one, you might be facing an unfamiliar and emotional task: managing their estate. One of the first legal steps is often probate — and in Alberta, Canada, there’s good news: the province now offers a modern digital probate process to make things faster and easier. It’s part of a broader movement to make estate administration more accessible and efficient for families.

🌟 Quick Fact:
Alberta’s Surrogate Digital Service is one of the first full-service digital probate platforms in Canada.

Even if you live outside Alberta — or the executor does — understanding how Alberta’s system works can help you appreciate where estate administration is headed. Alberta’s approach may soon influence other jurisdictions in Canada and beyond.

But what exactly does “digital probate” mean? How does it work? And what should you know before starting? Let’s walk through it in simple terms.

What is Probate, and Why is It Needed?

Probate is the court’s official process to validate a deceased person’s will and confirm the authority of the executor (the person named to handle the estate).
Without probate, banks, land titles offices, and other organizations may refuse to release the deceased’s assets.

In short: Probate gives the executor legal power to act on behalf of the estate.

What is Alberta’s Digital Probate Process?

Traditionally, probate applications involved a lot of paperwork — mailing forms to the court, waiting for responses, and managing in-person submissions.
Now, Alberta allows probate applications to be filed digitally through the Surrogate Digital Service (SDS).

The Surrogate Digital Service is an online system where executors, or the lawyers helping them, can:

  • Prepare probate documents
  • Submit them online
  • Receive approvals and grants electronically

It’s designed to make probate faster, more transparent, and less stressful.

Who Can Use the Digital Probate Process?

Currently, you can use the Surrogate Digital Service if:

  • The deceased lived in Alberta at the time of death
  • You have the original signed will
  • The estate is relatively straightforward (no major disputes or complex legal issues)
  • The executor is able to access and use online services
💡 Did You Know?
You don’t have to live in Alberta to serve as an executor for an Alberta estate.

However, you may need to meet additional court requirements, like posting a bond or appointing an agent inside Alberta to assist with estate matters.

**Important: If the will is missing, contested, or there are complicated issues like missing beneficiaries, you may still need to work with the court in person or with a lawyer.

Step-by-Step: How to Navigate the Digital Probate Process in Alberta

Here’s a simple breakdown:

1. Gather the Necessary Documents

Before you start, collect:

  • The original will
  • The original death certificate
  • A complete list of assets and liabilities (property, bank accounts, debts, etc.)
  • Contact information for all beneficiaries

You will need detailed information about the estate to complete the online application. Having a clear list ready — including bank accounts, real estate, vehicles, and outstanding bills — can speed up the online process and reduce the risk of delays.

📌 Pro Tip:
Before starting your digital probate application, create a detailed inventory of the estate’s assets and debts.

2. Create an Account with the Surrogate Digital Service

Visit the Surrogate Digital Service website and create an account.
Executors can complete the forms themselves, or they can authorize a lawyer to do it on their behalf.

3. Complete the Application

The online system will guide you through a series of questions about the deceased, the will, the estate’s value, and the beneficiaries.
It’s important to answer carefully and truthfully — mistakes can cause delays.

📌 Pro Tip:
Save your work as you go. You can come back to it if you need time to find more information.

4. Submit and Pay the Fees

Once your application is ready:

  • Upload scanned copies of the will, death certificate, and any supporting documents
  • Pay the probate fee (based on the value of the estate) online

As of 2025, Alberta’s probate fees range from $35 to $525, depending on the estate size.

5. Wait for Review and Approval

After submission, a court clerk will review your application.
If everything is correct, the Grant of Probate will be issued electronically. If corrections are needed, you’ll receive an email with instructions.

How Long Does the Digital Probate Process Take?

Generally, it takes about 6 to 12 weeks after submitting your application to receive a Grant of Probate, assuming no major issues arise. The digital system helps speed things up compared to traditional paper filing, but processing time can still vary based on court workload and the completeness of your documents.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Incorrect asset values: Double-check property and financial account valuations.
  • Missing information: Make sure all beneficiaries are listed accurately.
  • Using an outdated will: Only the most recent, original signed will can be used.

Taking your time at the beginning can prevent costly delays later.

Should You Get Help?

The digital system is designed to be user-friendly, but it can still feel overwhelming if you are grieving or managing a complex estate.
You might consider getting professional guidance if:

  • You’re unsure about the estate’s details
  • Family tensions could lead to disputes
  • The will is old, vague, or incomplete

A Certified Executor Advisor or a probate lawyer can help ensure everything is completed correctly and ease the burden during a difficult time.

Final Thoughts: Embracing the Future of Estate Management

Alberta’s digital probate process offers a modern, more convenient way to manage estate administration. By understanding the steps and preparing the necessary documents, you can navigate the process more confidently — and focus more on honouring your loved one’s memory than battling paperwork.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or just want reassurance that you’re doing everything properly, professional advisors like NEXsteps can guide you every step of the way.
Remember: You don’t have to do it alone.

 📚 You Might Also Like:

📂 Top Mistakes Executors Make During Probate (And How to Avoid Them)

📂 Executor Duties in Canada: A Simple Step-by-Step Overview

📂 How to Plan Your Digital Legacy for the Future

 

Visit our online store  for programs and guides or contact us for a personalized solution.
Watch our video here, or watch on our YouTube Channel:

Prefer a podcast? Listen here!

Please send us your questions or share your comments.

Disclaimer: This content is for general information only and is not legal, financial, medical, or tax advice.

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