Beyond the Will: Why Execution is the Hardest Part

The most dangerous myth in Canadian estate planning isn't ignorance—it's the belief that a simple will is enough. In 2026, with rising divorce rates, blended families, digital assets, and dual-income households, the execution of an estate has become the true test of legacy protection. Devin Miller, VP of Partnerships at Clear Estate, reveals that half of Canadians lack a will, but even more alarming is the widespread failure to plan for how that will will actually be executed. With executors now facing a 12- to 24-month administrative burden in a world of digital financial life, many are flying blind—unable to access online statements, insurance policies, or investment accounts. Clear Estate’s hybrid model, combining AI-powered tools like AdvisorPro with human expertise, is transforming estate planning from a fragmented, emotional process into a scalable, future-proof system. The real value isn’t in the document—it’s in ensuring the plan is executed without tearing families apart. For advisors, estate planning has become a critical differentiator in client retention, offering deeper relationships and proactive wealth transfer visibility. The episode dismantles the myth that 'having a will' equals 'being prepared.' Instead, it argues that the hardest part of estate planning isn’t writing the will—it’s ensuring someone can actually carry it out.