What they don’t always think about is soup. When people hear the words “estate planning,” they usually think about taxes. Or wills. Or complicated legal paperwork.

What they don’t always think about is soup.

A few years ago, one of our clients passed away, and the executor—her daughter—was overwhelmed. Not only was she grieving, but she was also facing her own major surgery just days after the funeral. She was worried about how the estate would move forward without her. She didn’t know who would handle the paperwork, the tax filings, the next steps.

So I showed up at her door with homemade soup.

That moment wasn’t about doing something extraordinary. It was about doing what we always do—show up. Estate planning, after all, isn’t just about managing wealth. It’s about protecting people. Relationships. Legacies. It’s about being there when it matters most.

Getting the conversation started

Most of my estate planning conversations start the same way: “Do you have a will? Powers of attorney? When was the last time you looked at them?”

If the answer is more than a few years ago, I ask a simple question: Does your current plan still reflect your wishes?

That one question can open up so much—especially in families with complexity. Blended families, disabled beneficiaries, multiple households… these situations require precision and compassion. A vague or outdated will isn’t just a missed opportunity. It can cause real pain. Confusion. Even conflict.

That’s why I always tell clients: We need to talk about this now, while you’re healthy, clear-headed, and able to make decisions without emotion or pressure.

What people don’t expect—but deeply value

What surprises people most is that I care.

They expect a financial planner to talk about investments or income. But when I start asking about their executor choices, their relationships with their kids, their wishes around charitable giving or estate equalization, it’s clear this conversation is different.

Estate planning isn’t off to the side of your financial life—it’s woven through it. It affects your investment plan, your tax plan, your insurance plan. But most importantly, it impacts the people you love.

We’ve seen what happens when families don’t think through the dynamics—unequal inheritances causing resentment, joint executor choices that complicate everything, wills that unintentionally leave someone out.

So we take the time to walk through it all. Not just the money. The people. The emotions. The intent.

Enter ClearEstate: A new kind of clarity

Lately, we’ve added a new tool to our estate planning process—one that’s changed the game: ClearEstate.

ClearEstate is a digital platform built to help Canadians manage their estate planning from start to finish. Clients can draft wills, set up trusts, name executors (including ClearEstate itself, for those without a trusted family member), and visualize how their estate would be distributed—all in one place.

It links directly with IG assets, giving clients and advisors like me a clear, real-time view of how everything lines up. Every year, we review it together during our annual planning conversations. It makes the process more transparent, more organized, and easier to keep up to date.

It also means fewer “oh yeah, I meant to update that” moments. And far fewer surprises later on.

The biggest reward: Peace of mind

There’s a moment I love in this process. It happens when I look a senior couple in the eye and say, “If something happens to one of you, we’ll take care of everything. We’ll help your spouse, we’ll guide your family, and we’ll make sure it’s all done properly.”

The relief on their faces—that’s what this work is about.

When a client passes away, my team and I don’t disappear. We’re there. We walk with the family through every step. We liaise with the funeral home, gather documents, settle accounts, work with lawyers, and keep everything moving with empathy and patience.

People tell us it’s not what they expected from a financial firm. And that’s exactly the point.

What I wish more people knew

1. A will isn’t “set it and forget it.” Life changes. So should your estate plan. We recommend reviewing it every 2–3 years—or sooner if there’s a major life event.

2. Not all assets pass through the will. We’ve helped clients avoid probate on certain investment accounts based on how they’re structured. These are the little details that make a big difference.

3. Fair isn’t always equal. Especially in families with businesses or farms, dividing the estate equally doesn’t always make sense. That’s okay—but the plan needs to be clear and intentional to avoid resentment.

4. Estate planning is about family unity. Ultimately, people want to protect relationships. They want their loved ones to be okay. That’s the heart of all this.

Final advice? Make sure you have a will. Without one, the government decides who gets what. That rarely ends the way anyone hoped.

And when the time comes, we’ll be there—with clarity, compassion, and the experience to guide your family through it all.

Because estate planning isn’t just about numbers. It’s about people. And if there’s one thing we’ve learned over the years, it’s this: sometimes the best way to settle an estate is with a solid plan, a calm voice, and maybe—just maybe—a really good pot of soup.

Robert Esser is an Executive Financial Consultant at Esser & Associates - IG Private Wealth Management based in Sarnia. He specializes in providing wealth management solutions that help clients achieve financial freedom. His team is known for their personal care, thoughtful listening, and long-term support—helping clients protect what matters most, every step of the way.

This is a general source of information only. It is not intended to provide personalized tax, legal or investment advice, and is not intended as a solicitation to purchase securities. Robert Esser is solely responsible for its content. For more information on this topic or any other financial matter, please contact an IG Wealth Management Advisor