Episode Summary

In this eye-opening episode of Estates Made Simple, Gord and Jenna are joined by Michaela Summers to share behind-the-scenes stories of estate files that didn’t go according to plan. These real-life “estates gone badly” serve as cautionary tales—highlighting what can go wrong when planning is incomplete, improper, or ignored altogether.

Michaela, who leads the estate administration practice at VanderLeek Law, shares three compelling cases that emphasize how even modest estates can become complicated, expensive, and emotionally charged without proper planning.

Key Discussion Points

• Why intestacy can get messy – One case involved 28 distant cousins around the world, requiring flowcharts, registered mail, and months of administrative work—all for a relatively small estate.
• When intent doesn’t match the outcome – A grandmother’s clear wish to gift all grandchildren equally fell apart when she passed away before updating her will for the youngest grandchild—proving that intent alone isn’t enough.
• Surprise relationships and legal claims – Gord shares a file where a neighbour claimed adult interdependent partner status after death, shocking the deceased’s children and forcing a legal and emotional negotiation.
• The high cost of poor planning – From legal fees and postage to delays and strained relationships, every poorly planned estate had measurable consequences—both financially and emotionally.
• How proper legal advice could have prevented it all – Each story illustrates how working with the right professionals and documenting your wishes clearly can prevent complications down the line.

Key Takeaways

• Planning = Peace of Mind: A simple will could have avoided dozens of beneficiaries, costly legal work, and emotional strain.
• Intent ≠ Outcome: Courts only follow what’s legally documented, not what the deceased “probably” wanted.
• Family Dynamics Matter: Poor planning can fracture families and create long-lasting emotional fallout.
• Know Your Relationships: In Alberta, failing to clarify AIP status can open your estate to surprise claims.

Hosts:
Jenna Carvalho
The smartest way to choose an executor.
Guardian Estate Company
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Gordon VanderLeek
Give your family a legacy of protection - Wills, Estates and Trusts.
VanderLeek Law
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