Gordon Vanderleek: Wills and Estate Lawyer and Disability Advocate | Episode 37

Calgary, Alberta lawyer Gordon Vanderleek is the Founder and Chief Strategist of VanderLeek Law (and Evelyn's wills and trusts guru!). His practice focuses on solving problems and educating in the areas of estate planning, estate administration and trust law. Gordon takes pride in being compassionate and empathetic, had making a difference in people's lives during high stress times of their lives.

Ackah Law recently expanded our legal services to provide wills and estate planning for newcomers to Canada. From our experience, we see that many temporary and permanent immigrants don’t understand that if they are living in Canada and unexpectedly die, if they don't have a will, the laws in the province or territory you live in will determine how your estate is divided - not necessarily the laws of their home country.

Evelyn and Gordon discuss:

• Why estate planning is hard for many people - talking about what will happen to their assets - their things - after they are gone, and how to protect their loved ones; and why Gordion decided to practice this area of law.
• Why wills and estate planning is important to everyone, including immigrants.
• Life events and milestones that should trigger estate planning, beginning at age 18.
• How Canada and Alberta laws impact newcomers, and what happens when a person's wishes don't match their legal documents. How to make sure your wishes are carried out.
• The importance of establishing guardianship for your minor children.
• How Personal Directives and Power of Attorney plan for incapacitation or disabilities, which have become a more visible issue since Covid.
• Special trusteeships and adult guardianships that are available for adults with special needs, and how the Britney Spears conservatorship made people aware of the need to do advance planning.
• Are DIY wills and holographs enforceable?
• Estate planning for children with special needs: how to gift money and protect their financial future.