In this episode of Are You Ready?, Neil Cockburn is joined by Megan Harris of Barr LLP to discuss wills, estate planning, estate administration, and the problems that can arise when planning is delayed or incomplete.

Megan brings perspective from both the planning side and the litigation side, offering practical advice on when to create or update a will, why powers of attorney and personal directives matter, and how proper planning can reduce stress for loved ones during difficult times.

The conversation also covers probate in Alberta, common misconceptions about cost, the importance of keeping an updated asset list, and how to choose the right executor. Megan emphasizes that estate planning is not just about documents. It is about clarity, communication, and making things easier for the people who will have to act on your behalf.

About Megan Harris
Megan Harris is a lawyer with Barr LLP whose practice includes wills and estates, estate administration, estate litigation, adult guardianship and trusteeship applications, estate planning, litigation and dispute resolution, residential real estate, and foreclosure matters. She has represented clients at all levels of Alberta’s courts, including the Alberta Court of Justice, the Court of King’s Bench of Alberta, and the Alberta Court of Appeal.

Megan is focused on providing practical, efficient, and clear advice to help clients navigate legal matters with confidence. A graduate of the University of Alberta, she also serves on the executive for the Canadian Bar Association’s Young Lawyers’ Section and volunteers with the Edmonton Community Legal Centre.

About Neil Cockburn
Neil Cockburn is a Chartered Professional Accountant (FCPA), Family Enterprise Advisor (FEA), and Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP), and the Director of Family Enterprise Advisory Services at Kingston Ross Pasnak LLP. With more than 40 years of experience working alongside business owners and family enterprises, Neil specializes in succession planning, intergenerational wealth transition, and estate strategy. He is known for helping families navigate complex transitions with clarity and confidence—always grounded in one central question: Are you ready for what comes next?

To learn more and connect with Neil Cockburn of Kingston Ross Pasnak, please visit: https://www.krpgroup.com/our-people/neil-cockburn

This video podcast series is proudly produced by the team at Road 55 - located in Edmonton, Alberta. For more information, please visit: www.road55.ca