Court Upholds Validity Of Wills Despite Claims Of Undue Influence | Recent ruling: The importance of assessing claims of undue influence within the context of deceased's broader relationships and intentions
Curated Content Family Disputes

Court Upholds Validity of Wills Despite Claims of Undue Influence

  • October 18, 2024
  • 1 minute read
The Lost Inheritance: A Cautionary Tale for Executors | Curated Content | Unclaimed Inheritance | Estates Gone Wrong
Communication Breakdowns Curated Content

The Lost Inheritance: A Cautionary Tale for Executors

  • October 24, 2023
  • 1 minute read
Grieving Families Face "Grisly Problem" | Digital Access After Death | Passwords | Online Accounts | Biometrics | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Digital Distress

Digital Access: Grieving Families Face “Grisly Problem”

  • March 15, 2023
  • 1 minute read
Estate Planning Priorities for Canadian Business Owners
Curated Content Succession Strategies

Estate Planning Priorities for Canadian Business Owners

  • October 1, 2024
  • 1 minute read
Navigating Inheritance Disputes Between Siblings | Curated Content | Family Disputes | Ontario Law | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Family Disputes

Navigating Inheritance Disputes Between Siblings

  • March 18, 2023
  • 1 minute read
While creating a legal will is essential for the transfer of wealth, it’s just one part of the process. To be sure your wishes are truly honoured, your financial legacy preserved, and your family is supported, you need a comprehensive estate plan. Moreover, you need to communicate that plan effectively.
Communication Breakdowns Curated Content

Unlocking Your Legacy: Estate Planning Conversations are Critical

  • February 6, 2025
  • 2 minutes read
Digital Estate Planning Guide: Get Your Assets in Order | Digital Distress | Online Accounts | Estate Planning | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Digital Distress

Digital Estate Planning Guide: Get Your Assets in Order

Estate Planning Horror Stories: 5 Nightmare Scenarios that Will Scare You into Action | Curated Content | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Family Disputes

Estate Planning Horror Stories: 5 Nightmare Scenarios

Identifying the digital property you own and managing it is more necessary than ever. From smart home devices to online investments and bank accounts, we’ve gone way beyond using the internet to email family and social media to connect with friends.
Curated Content Digital Distress

Avoiding 4 Main Obstacles: Digital-Era Estate Planning

Court Upholds Validity Of Wills Despite Claims Of Undue Influence | Recent ruling: The importance of assessing claims of undue influence within the context of deceased's broader relationships and intentions
Curated Content Family Disputes

Court Upholds Validity of Wills Despite Claims of Undue Influence

Potential pitfalls associated with poor estate planning exposed as a detective investigates the death of the patriarch of a combative family.
Dramatized Content Family Disputes

Knives Out | American Mystery Film | 2019

valuable lessons learned from

Communication Breakdowns
& Family Disputes

Family Conflict Results in Long-Term Estate Litigation over Secret Trust and Mutual Wills Agreement | Family Disputes | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Family Disputes

Family Conflict Results in Long-Term Estate Litigation

  • September 9, 2020
  • 1 minute read
Although television and movies are entertaining with their conflicts and cliffhangers, your estate plan should not be as entertaining.
Communication Breakdowns Curated Content

Probate & Trust Administration: Dramatic Misconceptions

  • October 28, 2024
  • Less than a minute
Woman Dies Homeless Unaware of $800k Inheritance | Curated Content | Unclaimed Inheritance | Estates Gone Wrong
Communication Breakdowns Curated Content

Woman Dies Homeless Unaware of $800k Inheritance

  • June 4, 2021
  • 1 minute read
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All Celebrity Estates Family Disputes Charitable Misgivings Common Mistakes Bizarre Bequests Long-Term Care Crisis Communication Breakdowns Property Pitfalls Digital Distress Guardian Safeguards
Executor on the Case: Becoming a Detective for Missing Assets | Much has been written on the topic of missing heirs: how to find them, and what to do if you can’t. But what happens if you have missing assets? How do you practically move forward with an estate administration when you don’t know, well, what assets you’re administering?
Communication Breakdowns Curated Content

Executor on the Case: Becoming a Detective for Missing Assets

  • February 14, 2025
  • Less than a minute
A commitment-phobic man goes in search of a bride to inherit his grandfather's one hundred million dollar inheritance.
Bizarre Bequests Dramatized Content

The Bachelor | American Comedy-Drama Film | 1999

  • November 5, 1999
  • 1 minute read
Pets & Estate Planning: More Complex Than You Might Think
Curated Content Guardian Safeguards

Pets & Estate Planning: More Complex Than You Might Think

  • November 10, 2024
  • 1 minute read
How to Identify Caregiver Burnout: Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Curated Content Guardian Safeguards

How to Identify Caregiver Burnout: Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention

  • February 11, 2025
  • Less than a minute
Your Digital Assets: The Mess Left Behind | Digital Distress | Online Accounts | Estate Planning | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Digital Distress

Your Digital Assets: The Mess Left Behind

  • September 29, 2024
  • 1 minute read
Digital Assets: Ensuring Your Loved Ones Can Access Your Phone | Digital Distress | Online Accounts | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Digital Distress

Digital Assets: Ensuring Your Loved Ones Can Access Your Phone

  • July 15, 2024
  • 1 minute read
7 Costly Estate Planning Mistakes and How to Avoid Them | Curated Content | Common Mistakes | Cautionary Tales | Estates Gone Wrong
Common Mistakes Curated Content

7 Costly Estate Planning Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

  • April 9, 2024
  • 1 minute read
Aretha Franklin’s Handwritten Last Wishes: a Tale of Two Wills
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Aretha Franklin’s Handwritten Last Wishes: a Tale of Two Wills

  • July 6, 2023
  • 1 minute read
When a Charitable Bequest in a Will Goes Wrong | Curated Content | Charitable Bequests | Estates Gone Wrong
Charitable Misgivings Curated Content

When a Charitable Bequest in a Will Goes Wrong

  • November 1, 2022
  • 1 minute read
The evolution of digital estate planning laws reflects our increasingly online lives, where valuable and sentimental digital property requires the same careful legal consideration traditionally given to physical assets. State legislatures are working to bridge the gap between traditional estate planning and the unique challenges posed by digital inheritance.
Curated Content Digital Distress

Digital & Online Estate Planning Laws: State-by-State

  • December 25, 2024
  • 2 minutes read
Planning to Disinherit a Child? Experts Urge a 'Rethink' | Family Disputes | Inheritance Horror Stories | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Family Disputes

Planning to Disinherit a Child? Experts Urge a ‘Rethink’

  • July 22, 2024
  • 1 minute read
The Importance of Appointing a Digital Executor | Accessing and Protecting Digital Assets | Estate Planning | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Digital Distress

The Importance of Appointing a Digital Executor

  • August 7, 2024
  • 1 minute read
guardian safeguards + eldercare nightmares

The Importance of Planning for
Custody & Long-Term Care

Don't Let Denial Delay Long-Term Care Planning | Curated Content | Elder Care | Estate Planning | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Long-Term Care Crisis

Don’t Let Denial Delay Long-Term Care Planning

  • August 27, 2024
  • 1 minute read
Too many parents take comfort in the misconception that where both parents become incapacitated or die, another family member will automatically take over caring for their children. The reality is, the rights and responsibilities of guardianship do not simply pass to a surviving family member.
Curated Content Guardian Safeguards

Testamentary Guardianship: Safeguarding Your Child’s Future

  • July 10, 2023
  • 2 minutes read
When Caretakers Empty the Coffers: A Look at Guardianship Fraud
Curated Content Guardian Safeguards

When Caretakers Empty the Coffers: A Look at Guardianship Fraud

  • April 13, 2022
  • 1 minute read
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Estate Planning Mistakes of the

Rich and Famous

The legal dispute between Danny Bennett, the eldest son of Tony Bennett, and his sisters, Antonia and Johanna Bennett, has intensified in court.
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Tony Bennett’s Kids in Legal Battle Over Estate and Trust Disputes

  • January 16, 2025
  • 2 minutes read
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James Brown’s Estate Reaches Settlement After Nearly 15-Year Dispute | Curated Content | Celebrity Estates | Estates Gone Wrong
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

James Brown’s Estate Reaches Settlement After Lengthy Dispute

  • July 20, 2021
  • 1 minute read
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The Will of Marlon Brando: A Lesson in Estate Planning | Inheritance Disputes | Celebrity Estates | Court Battles | Estates Gone Wrong
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

The Will of Marlon Brando: A Lesson in Estate Planning

  • March 21, 2022
  • 1 minute read
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Priscilla Presley Settles Dispute with Granddaughter over Lisa Marie Presley's Estate | Curated Content | Celebrity Estates
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Priscilla Presley Settles Dispute with Granddaughter over Estate

  • May 16, 2023
  • Less than a minute
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Estate Planning Horror Stories: 5 Nightmare Scenarios that Will Scare You into Action | Curated Content | Estates Gone Wrong
March 26, 2021

Estate Planning Horror Stories: 5 Nightmare Scenarios

The Top 10 Estate Battles Of All Time | Curated Content | Celebrity Estates | Inheritance Horror Stories | Estates Gone Wrong
April 1, 2023

Probate Disputes: The Top 10 Estate Battles Of All Time

Estate Planning Mistakes of the Rich and Famous | Curated Content | Celebrity Estates | Inheritance Horror Stories | Estates Gone Wrong
April 13, 2022

Estate Planning Mistakes of the Rich and Famous

Inheritance Mishaps from the Rich and Famous | Canadian Family Offices | Curated Content | Celebrity Estates | Estates Gone Wrong
November 27, 2023

Inheritance Mishaps from the Rich and Famous

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Bizarre Bequests Curated Content

Furry Heirs: The Rising Trend of Pet Trusts and Bequeathments

Don't Let Denial Delay Long-Term Care Planning | Curated Content | Elder Care | Estate Planning | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Long-Term Care Crisis

Don’t Let Denial Delay Long-Term Care Planning

Ontario Superior Court Removes Estate Executor to Resolve Deadlock | Property Pitfalls | Family Disputes | Case Ruling | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

Ontario Superior Court Removes Estate Executor to Resolve Deadlock

Saskatchewan Court Ruling on Digital Message: Is it a Will?
Curated Content Digital Distress

Saskatchewan Court Ruling on Digital Message: Is it a Will?

Some of The Most Bizarre Inheritance Stories | Curated Content | Strange Bequests | Weird Things People Left in Wills | Estates Gone Wrong
Bizarre Bequests Curated Content

Some of The Most Bizarre Inheritance Stories

When a loved one passes away, their streaming accounts and subscriptions may seem like minor considerations compared to other estate matters. However, managing these accounts is important to prevent ongoing charges and secure their digital legacy.
Curated Content Digital Distress

Managing Streaming Service Accounts: A Guide for Canadians

Can You Decline or Step Down as Power of Attorney in Canada?
Curated Content Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Decline or Step Down as Power of Attorney in Canada?

Common Mistakes Curated Content

Top 10 Estate Planning Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Charitable Beneficiaries and Family Members At Odds Over Estate Distribution | Curated Content | Charitable Bequests | Estates Gone Wrong
Charitable Misgivings Curated Content

Charitable Beneficiaries & Family Battle Over Estate Distribution

This guide will help you explore the key aspects of inheritance tax in Canada for non-residents, taxes on property, and cross-border tax concerns for Canadians inheriting overseas.
Curated Content Frequently Asked Questions

Canadian Inheritance Tax 2025: Frequently Asked Questions

Renouncing an Inheritance: an Inherent Right | Inheriting a House | Property Pitfalls | Real Estate | Family Disputes | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

Renouncing an Inheritance: an Inherent Right

After deliberating for almost one hour, jurors found that a handwritten will, discovered under a sofa cushion by Franklin’s niece after the singer’s death, was signed by the music legend in 2014 and does show her intent.
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Jury Reaches Verdict in Battle over Aretha Franklin’s Estate

7 Costly Estate Planning Mistakes and How to Avoid Them | Curated Content | Common Mistakes | Cautionary Tales | Estates Gone Wrong
Common Mistakes Curated Content

7 Costly Estate Planning Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Estate Planning Legal: Frequently Asked Questions
Curated Content Frequently Asked Questions

Estate Planning Legal: Frequently Asked Questions

Charities have Fiduciary Duties as Estate Beneficiaries | Charitable Bequests | Administration | Philanthropic Advisor | Estates Gone Wrong
Charitable Misgivings Curated Content

Charities have Fiduciary Duties as Estate Beneficiaries

McWills? Yes! Will Written on a McDonald’s Napkin May be Enforceable | Curated Content | Strange Bequests | Estates Gone Wrong
Bizarre Bequests Curated Content

McWills? Handwritten Will on McDonald’s Napkin Ruled Enforceable

Can You Contest a Will That Leaves Your Parent’s Money to a Charity? When Should You Contest Your Parent’s Charitable Will Bequest?
Charitable Misgivings Curated Content

Can You Contest a Will that Leaves Your Parent’s Money to a Charity?

Even Canadians who don’t consider themselves snowbirds may own property south of the border or have other U.S. based assets that could impact their planning.
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

Snowbirds: Is Your Cross-border Property in Your Estate Plan?

Selling Inherited Property: Tips for Executors and Beneficiaries | Property Pitfalls | Real Estate | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

Selling Inherited Property: Tips for Executors and Beneficiaries

Aging Baby Boomers Raise the Risk of a Long-Term-Care Crisis in the U.S. | Curated Content | Elder Care | Long-Term Care | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Long-Term Care Crisis

Aging Baby Boomers Raise the Risk of a Long-Term-Care Crisis

The digital age has ushered in a paradigm shift in estate planning and administration... This article will delve deeper into the complexities of digital asset succession in Ontario, discussing the challenges faced, potential solutions, and the evolving legal landscape.
Curated Content Digital Distress

The Evolving Landscape of Digital Asset Succession

Strategies to Reduce Your Final Tax Return | Could paying a little more now provide significant relief on your final tax return upon death?
Curated Content Planning Resources

Strategies to Reduce Your Final Tax Return: Canada

Curated Content Digital Distress

Digital Asset Controversy Outrages Online Gamers

Celebrity Estates Curated Content

What We Can Learn From Celebrity Estate Planning Gone Wrong

Elvis Presley’s Estate Planning Mistakes: Lessons for Us All | Curated Content | Celebrity Estates | Estates Gone Wrong
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Elvis Presley’s Estate Planning Mistakes: Lessons for Us All

While long-term care is often associated with the elderly, it can affect individuals of all ages due to various circumstances. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the different types of long-term care available and delve into how estate planning is affected by and should be considered for each type.
Curated Content Long-Term Care Crisis

Estate Planning & Long-Term Care: A Comprehensive Guide

Guardianship and Conservatorship, while similar, serve different purposes. Understanding these roles is essential for planning for the future of loved ones who may need assistance.
Curated Content Guardian Safeguards

Guardianship and Conservatorship: Understanding the Differences

real repercussions of inheriting real estate

Property Pitfalls

Selling Inherited Property: Tips for Executors and Beneficiaries | Property Pitfalls | Real Estate | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

Selling Inherited Property: Tips for Executors and Beneficiaries

  • August 29, 2022
  • 1 minute read
Inheriting Real Estate in Canada: What You Need to Know
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

Inheritance Tax & Cross-Border Rules: What Canadians Need to Know

  • December 20, 2024
  • 1 minute read
Sibling Living in Inherited Property: Refuses To Sell
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

Sibling Living in Inherited Property: Refuses To Sell

  • June 1, 2024
  • 1 minute read
Court Ordered Sale of Estate Lands Ends 30-Year Dispute Among Heirs | Property Pitfalls | Real Estate | Family Disputes | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

Court Ordered Sale of Estate Lands Ends 30-Year Dispute Among Heirs

  • October 3, 2024
  • 1 minute read
Testators should know the risks before using joint ownership as an estate planning tool. 
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

Joint Ownership of Property: Know the Risks

  • February 16, 2024
  • 1 minute read
Family Cottage Succession: a Dream or a Nightmare? No matter how much you may intend to keep the property in the family, you should plan for the almost certain inevitability that at some point it will be sold.
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

Shared Ownership in The Family Cottage: a Dream or a Nightmare?

  • August 5, 2022
  • 1 minute read
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Dying Saskatchewan Farmer’s Will Goes Down in History | Curated Content | Strange Bequests | Estates Gone Wrong

Bizarre Bequests

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Priscilla Presley Settles Dispute with Granddaughter over Lisa Marie Presley's Estate | Curated Content | Celebrity Estates

Celebrity Estates

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Family Conflict Results in Long-Term Estate Litigation over Secret Trust and Mutual Wills Agreement | Family Disputes | Estates Gone Wrong

Charitable Misgivings

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Estate Planning: 6 Big Mistakes You Might Be Making | Curated Content | Common Mistakes | Estates Gone Wrong

Common Mistakes

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What to Do when the Executor Is Not Communicating with Beneficiaries? | Curated Content | Communication Breakdowns | Estates Gone Wrong

Communication Breakdowns

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Top 8 Risks: The Dangers of Improper Estate Planning | Common Mistakes | Cautionary Tales | Inheritance Horror Stories | Estates Gone Wrong

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Abusive Guardianships: Prevention & Taking Action

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High Costs for Long-Term Care are 'Unforgivable' | Curated Content | Elder Care Nightmares | Estates Gone Wrong

Long-Term Care Crisis

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What to Do if You Inherit a House with a Mortgage | Curated Content | Property Pitfalls | Real Estate | Inheriting Debt | Estates Gone Wrong

Property Pitfalls

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Story Submissions

Estate Gone Wrong?

We know, it is a very sensitive topic. Anonymous submissions are welcomed and encouraged. We just want to help you tell your cautionary tale.

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