Canadian Estate Planning, Advocacy, and the RDSP — with Gordon VanderLeek

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Valerie sits down with Gordon VanderLeek, founder of VanderLeek Law and a nationally respected voice in estate planning and disability advocacy. As both a lawyer and a father of five adopted children, three with long-term disabilities, Gordon brings rare professional expertise grounded in lived experience.They explore what it truly means to plan for a child’s future when lifelong supports are required, with a particular focus on the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) and how it fits into a comprehensive forever home strategy.Gordon VanderLeek is the founder and managing lawyer of VanderLeek Law, with a practice focused on wills, estates, trust planning, and guardianship for families impacted by disability. He holds the Trust and Estate Practitioner (STEP) designation and is a member of the Canadian Bar Association’s Wills and Estates Section.Alongside his wife Annie, Gordon co-founded Disability Advocates, a division of the firm dedicated to helping families navigate complex social service systems through practical, compassionate advocacy.Gordon hosts two podcasts, the latter with Annie: Estates Made Simple and We Advocate.You’ll learn-Gordon’s personal journey as a foster and adoptive parent navigating disability, education systems, and advocacy-Why estate planning for families with disabilities is fundamentally different—and where many families unintentionally go wrong-The origin and purpose of the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP)-How the RDSP works, including: Government grants and bonds, Contribution limits and timelines, Why starting early matters-How RDSPs interact with government income supports like AISH (Alberta)-A critical but often-overlooked downside of RDSPs: what happens when the beneficiary passes away-When an RDSP is ideal—and when alternative strategies may be more appropriate-Why advocacy is often required to access supports (and why “no” is not always the final answer)-The importance of guardianship and trusteeship planning-Why long-term planning must address both financial security and human support-Words of encouragement for parents raising a child with disabilities Key Takeaways-The RDSP is one of the most powerful financial tools available to Canadians with disabilities—but it must be used thoughtfully within a broader plan (https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/topics/registered-disability-savings-plan-rdsp.html)-Government systems are complex and siloed; families should not be expected to navigate them alone-Advocacy is not optional—it is often the difference between access and exclusion-Planning ahead is an act of love, not fear-Parents and partners must care for each other in order to sustain the long journey aheadLive with Intention – Embrace the Journey Connect with Gordon VanderLeekWebsite: vanderleeklaw.caDisability Advocacy Services: disabilityadvocates.caConnect with [email protected] Acknowledgement: Audio Coffee - Denys KyshchukEditor: Scott ArbeauLink for book: The S.H.I.N.E. Principle: The special needs mom's path to strength, hope and happiness by Valerie Arbeauhttps://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0CW18ZXGX (Canada)https://a.co/d/03hFdZI4 (United States)Learn more about your host at:https://coachingwithvalerieanne.com/