Is your Will up to date? The challenges of settling an estate after a sudden loss

Grieving the death of a loved one is often a painful and emotional journey. When the death is tragic and unexpected, the aftermath can become even more complicated.

This is the very situation Garry Howson found himself in when his brother Greg passed away suddenly at the age of 57. Greg left behind a grieving family unprepared for the work that lay ahead to finalize his estate.

When he died, Greg was working through a separation from his partner of 18 years. Listed as the executor of Greg’s estate, his partner agreed to renounce his right to act as executor. This allowed Greg’s brother Garry to assume the responsibilities of administering the estate.

The importance of an executor

The sudden loss of a brother and the complex duties of an executor left Garry feeling overwhelmed and he quickly realized the prospect of settling his brother’s estate alone was too daunting.

Garry sought out the services of RBC Royal Trust. “He took care of every single detail,” Garry says of the trust officer he was working with. “He kept me informed of the process, explaining every step.”

“Unless someone has acted as an executor, or watched someone close go through the process, we generally find that Canadians don’t put a lot of real thought in to whom they are appointing, says Leanne Kaufman, president and CEO of RBC Royal Trust. “Often, they choose individuals who are their own age, meaning that they age together. The chosen executor may not be in a position to act when needed.”

The intricacies of an estate

There can be more than 70 individual tasks involved in settling an estate. These can range from funeral arrangements; managing investments until they’re liquidated or transferred; creating an inventory of assets; keeping detailed accounts; identifying and settling any debts; selling real estate and preparing and filing multiple tax returns.

The process generally takes many months—sometimes years—for what may appear to be a simple estate. And, of course, this work needs to be carried out during a very difficult time for the family.

“If someone was faced with the sudden death of a loved one, without the help of professional services, they’d find out very quickly how difficult the process is,” says Garry. “The comfort of knowing I didn’t have to worry was invaluable; I could grieve properly and I can’t put a price tag on that.”

While it can be frightening to contemplate one’s death, Garry believes it’s important to ensure your Will and overall estate plan remain up to date.

“We ask our clients to review their estate plans every five to eight years and whenever there has been a significant change in circumstances, such as a beneficiary predeceasing the Will maker,” says Bianca Krueger, senior manager, Professional Development at RBC Royal Trust.

Separation or divorce are other examples of life scenarios that should prompt the review of a Will. “People are afraid of having those conversations. They don’t want to talk about death but the people left behind are the ones left with the burden,” adds Garry. And to that end, he has discussed his estate plan openly with his adult daughter.

Plan ahead for a smooth transfer of wealth

Having these conversations can be an opportunity to discuss how wealth should be used once it’s been passed on. It can also act as a starting point for teaching family members how to manage their inheritance.

If you involve children in your estate planning, not only can you manage expectations, but you can encourage financial stewardship, setting an example for future generations.

Having a full wealth-transfer strategy, including an up-to-date Will and powers of attorney for both property and personal care, can provide much needed peace of mind for those left behind.

This article was updated in June 2025.