Joel Leonhardt - Family Services Director

02/16/2026

How to ensure you're never prepared: start tomorrow.

Decisive action is anxiety's greatest enemy.

Peace of mind is worth every penny.

You only have to prepare once.

02/06/2026

Many people have questions about cremation and what their options are in terms of a final resting place. If you've ever noticed an urn on a mantle, this may resonate with you. The truth is, there are plenty of options available that will honor your loved one appropriately, and one day, yourself.

Here's a short video on some of those options available at Glen Eden, Glen Lawn, and Chapel Lawn in Winnipeg. If you'd like more information, pricing, or even a tour of our grounds, kindly send me a message and I'd be happy to get you started on the right foot.

Cremation has been chosen, and now you’re faced with an important decision. How do you make a personally meaningful, lasting tribute to one cherished life, t...

02/02/2026

The best time to plant a tree was 10 years ago. The second best time is today.

Where you are financially today comes from the decisions you made 10 years ago.

Where you'll be in 10 years depends on the decisions you make today.

Make smart decisions today. Make a plan for the inevitable.

01/29/2026

Action > Avoidance

These decisions aren't going away - they'll be inherited by your partner and your kids eventually. Take control and have a say as to how your loved ones say goodbye to you.

Nobody ever regrets making a plan for the inevitable and unfortunately, no amount of "thinking about it" or avoiding the topic will change that.

Know your options.

01/21/2026

Food for thought...

01/12/2026

I am your personal, life-long, no-charge resource for the following decisions:

-Estate protection
-Estate organizing
-Wills
-Power of Attorney (POA)
-Cemetery options
-Funeral prearrangements
-Travel protection
-Assisting with paperwork after the funeral
-Emergency funds needed while estate closes
-Aftercare

If you find this subject unfamiliar and overwhelming, let's make it easy on your kids by discussing a plan to protect them from doing this for you.

Message me for help on getting started - I am here to educate and assist each step of the way.

01/06/2026

Often I get asked, "What is estate planning"?

Definition: advance planning for the management and distribution of a person's assets following their death, typically involving wills, trusts, or insurance policies.

Most people are unfamiliar with this process and choose to look further into it "someday". Many unfortunate families end up having this conversation only AFTER a death has already happened, being left with unfamiliar decisions and expenses they expected to plan for later. These problems are significant and preventable, but they require action.

Don't let the government decide where your savings and assets go after you pass. Make estate planning a priority in 2026 so you and your family know exactly what to expect when the inevitable happens.

01/06/2026

Check this off your 2026 to-do list.

When you pre-plan your final arrangements, you give your loved ones something truly meaningful: clarity, comfort, and peace of mind.

When the time comes, they will be able lean on the guidance you have already put in place. No guessing, no uncertainty, just the reassurance of knowing they are honouring your wishes with confidence and care.

Planning ahead becomes a thoughtful act of love that helps make a difficult time feel a little gentler for the people who matter most.

Read more about planning ahead here: https://bit.ly/49mXNHB

01/01/2026

A new year isn't just about resolutions - it's about peace of mind.

Preplanning your funeral and cemetery arrangements is one of the most thoughtful gifts you can give your family. It means clarity, control, and fewer difficult decisions during an emotional time.

This year, plan ahead - on your terms, and happy new year!

12/13/2025

A mother of three died with a $1.2M house and a will: "Split everything equally among my children".

Two years later, the siblings don't speak.

One daughter lived there caring for her mom for 5 years and wanted to keep the house.

The other two wanted their share now. Forced sale of the house and got $980k.

After fees each sibling got $300k instead of $400k.

The caregiving daughter lost her home and $100k. All three sibling lost out on this.

A proper estate plan would have let the daughter buy out siblings over time, allowed waiting for a better market to sell, and set clear terms BEFORE mom died.

"Equal" isn't always "fair", and better planning would've avoided this entirely.

Are you content with how things will play out when you're gone?

12/13/2025

Protect your legacy.

Message me for a free family estate planning kit with legal will guide and a no-pressure consultation so you can make informed decisions on how best to serve your family when it counts.

11/21/2025

For the many fans of Prince, here’s a cautionary word:

He was the icon who soared freely, yet when he left this world in 2016, his financial empire became a tangled story of missed planning and hidden value. Prince died without a will, and his estate was ultimately valued at around $156 million for tax purposes.

What seemed like a defined legacy became a flashpoint for legal and financial battle. After years of court hearings, in August 2022 the family and advisers did reach an agreement to divide the estate.

This matters because the image of “rock star wealth” meets very real estate planning realities. An estate of this size, with tangible property, music catalogs, image rights and without clear instructions invited conflict, cost and delay.

The home where he lived, created and recorded is now part of an inheritance puzzle. And the $156m figure? It’s less a number of triumph and more a chapter in a story of what happens when you don’t define your own final act.

Moral of the story: START ESTATE PLANNING TODAY or you'll never fully know the problems you're leaving for your loved ones.