#32 — Leanne Kaufman: The Do’s and Don’ts of Estate Planning

Episode #32 is out now! Our guest this episode is Leanne Kaufman — President and CEO of RBC Royal Trust, the division of RBC that helps Canadians with estate, trust and incapacity planning/professional administration. Leanne is a lawyer by training and is extremely knowledgeable about all things estate planning in Canada. In this conversation, Dave and Leanne dive deep into the fundamentals of estate planning — why every Canadian needs a will, the real cost of getting one and what qualities make for an ideal executor. They explore tricky questions like whether you should choose a family member as your executor, if co-executors are ever a good idea and why keeping a “When I Die” binder can spare your loved ones a world of stress. From corporate executors to cottages (and the conflict they often create) to the risks of joint ownership and the scenarios where trusts actually make sense, this episode covers the most common estate-planning pitfalls Canadians face—and how to avoid them. Whether you’re creating your first will or updating your entire estate plan, this episode is packed with practical advice, clear explanations and guidance every Canadian should hear.   Show Notes (00:00) Intro & Disclaimer (00:55) Intro to Leanne Kaufman (02:34) Why Everyone Needs a Will (05:01) How Much Does it Cost to Get a Will? (07:29) What Qualities Does an Ideal Executor Have? (13:28) Should You Choose a Family Member as Your Executor? (15:46) Co-Executors: Yay or Nay? (18:06) The Importance of a “When I Die” Binder (20:33) Should You Keep Old Wills? (22:05) What is a Power of Attorney? (26:52) Why Dave Doesn’t Like Co-Powers of Attorney for Personal Care (28:39) When Do POAs Take Effect? (30:56) Name Alternate Executors & POAs (32:41) How to Make Sure Your POA Will Be Accepted (34:46) Corporate Executors (40:50) Cottages and Family Conflict (44:26) Use Cases for Trusts (47:28) The Dangers of Joint Ownership in Estate Planning (50:39) Estate Planning is a Holistic Exercise (54:00) Conclusion