Courts could use artificial intelligence (AI) to speed up probate, but digitizing documents and training a new AI model is labour intensive.
Curated Content Digital Distress

Could AI Speed Up Uncontested Probate Applications?

  • February 4, 2025
  • 1 minute read
One thing can be gleaned from these four examples: no matter how big or successful the company, a smooth transition of power from one generation to the next can never be taken for granted.
Curated Content Succession Lessons

When Succession Goes Awry: Four Famous Examples

  • October 24, 2018
  • Less than a minute
Do you own a valuable piece of art, an antique car or rare Pokémon card? Here are some expert insights, from RBC Wealth Management, on how to work antiques and other valuable collectibles into your estate plan...
Curated Content Unique Collectibles

How to Work Antiques & Collectibles into Your Estate Plan

  • November 1, 2023
  • Less than a minute
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

  • January 24, 2025
  • 1 minute read
Most families don't have these conversations until it's too late. Not because they don't care. But because there's never a clear moment to bring it up...
Curated Content Related Resources

Thoughtful Questions To Ask Your Aging Parents

  • April 24, 2026
  • Less than a minute
Ottawa Mother's Quest for Late Son's Passwords: An Uncharted Legal Road | Digital Distress | Accessing Online Accounts | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Digital Distress

Mother’s Quest for Late Son’s Passwords

  • May 8, 2020
  • 1 minute read
Inheriting a Property With Your Siblings: What Are Your Options? | Family Disputes | Property Pitfalls | Real Estate | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

Inheriting a Property With Your Siblings: What Are Your Options?

Family Business Succession: Entrepreneurs can plan for future generational transitions by implementing a corporation governance framework.
Curated Content Succession Lessons

Family Business: Planning for Future Generational Transitions

There’s no “right” way to grieve, and respecting each person’s process is essential...
Curated Content Related Resources

Support for Dealing with Grief and Anticipatory Grief

Careful planning and collaboration with estate professionals can help you avoid these common mistakes, ensuring your will effectively supports your loved ones and secures your legacy. Here are some thoughts to help you get your estate planning process underway.
Common Mistakes Curated Content

Getting Your Estate Planning Process Underway: Dos and Don’ts

Economic uncertainty, inflation and the decline of workplace pensions have left growing numbers of Canadian seniors unable to leave their jobs. What can aspiring but anxious would-be retirees do?
Curated Content Life Events

Why “Unretirement” May Be the Fate of So Many Canadians

valuable lessons learned from

Communication Breakdowns
& Family Disputes

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

  • September 7, 2019
  • Less than a minute
Dramatized Content Family Disputes

The Inheritance | Limited Television Series | 2023

  • September 4, 2023
  • Less than a minute
Estate litigation lawyers across Canada are seeing a steady increase in undue influence estate disputes. Families are more frequently questioning whether a will truly reflects a loved one’s wishes or whether someone exerted pressure behind the scenes.
Curated Content Family Disputes

Steady Increase in Undue Influence Estate Disputes in Canada

  • March 23, 2026
  • Less than a minute
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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
Contentious probate refers to the legal conflicts and disputes that can arise in the process of settling a deceased person’s estate. This guide dives deeper into a probate contest and what is involved with it from a legal standpoint. 
Curated Content Family Disputes

Navigating the Challenges of Contentious Probate: UK

  • March 7, 2024
  • 2 minutes read
The Supreme Court recently ruled in favour of Blue Cross, RSPB and RSPCA in the case of a legacy bequest which was challenged by the donor’s daughter.
Charitable Misgivings Curated Content

Important Case Ruling: Contested Wills and Charities in the UK

  • August 13, 2024
  • 1 minute read
This guide explores the fate of domain names and websites after death, outlining the steps executors and family members should take to manage these digital properties effectively.
Curated Content Digital Distress

Managing Domain Names & Websites After Owner Passes Away

  • January 9, 2025
  • Less than a minute
4 Expert Insights on Avoiding Estate Planning Pitfalls for 2025
Common Mistakes Curated Content

Expert Insights: Avoiding Estate Planning Pitfalls for 2025

  • November 17, 2024
  • Less than a minute
Leaving Money to Charity so You Don’t Spoil the Kids? | Charitable Bequests | Wealth Management | High Net Worth | Estates Gone Wrong
Charitable Misgivings Curated Content

Leaving Money to Charity so You Don’t Spoil the Kids?

  • March 16, 2023
  • 1 minute read
This guide explains—in plain language—how the Long‑Term Care Rate Reduction Program works and how it can help lower your monthly bill.
Curated Content Long-Term Care Crisis

Reducing the Cost of Long-Term Care in Ontario

  • July 3, 2025
  • 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
Inheritance disputes are on the rise. One of the reasons for this is a significant increase in the number of blended families. We are calling this the Cinderella Dilemma...
Curated Content Family Disputes

The Cinderella Dilemma: Protecting Your Children’s Inheritance

  • May 27, 2025
  • 1 minute read
Blockchain technology is changing the way we think about digital ownership and estate planning. By understanding how blockchains work and how digital assets are stored and transferred, one can make informed decisions about how to protect these assets for future generations.
Curated Content Digital Distress

Blockchain Technology: Digital Ownership & Estate Planning

  • January 2, 2025
  • 1 minute read
After a break-in, a frail elderly woman is found dead in her flat by her neighbor. Tipped off by the victim's granddaughter Connie, the investigation focuses on the old lady's live-in caregiver.
Dramatized Content Guardian Safeguards

Law & Order: UK | Episode “Mortal” | 2013

  • August 11, 2013
  • 1 minute read
Five Famous Families Undermined by Sibling Conflict | Curated Content | Family Disputes | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Family Disputes

Five Famous Families Undermined by Sibling Conflict

  • June 29, 2022
  • 1 minute read
Without a plan, families often face roadblocks. Passwords are lost, accounts are locked, and privacy policies can make recovery difficult or impossible. A formal approach to protecting digital assets ensures that your legacy is preserved and your wishes respected.
Curated Content Digital Distress

Digital Asset Management: How to Safeguard Your Online Legacy

  • November 21, 2025
  • 1 minute read
guardian safeguards + eldercare nightmares

The Importance of Planning for
Custody & Long-Term Care

Canada Pension Plan Embroiled in Long-Term Care Fiasco | Long-Term Care | Elder Care | Fraud | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Long-Term Care Crisis

Canada Pension Plan Embroiled in Long-Term Care Fiasco

  • October 18, 2024
  • 1 minute read
Legal issues faced by the elderly population arise in almost all areas of legal practice; however, most commonly in real estate law, family law, human rights law, and wills and estates law.
Curated Content Long-Term Care Crisis

Power of Attorney & Estate Planning: Elder Law Canada

  • June 21, 2024
  • 1 minute read
Guardianship is an expensive, time-consuming process that ultimately removes decision-making rights from the person with a disability. Once guardianship is in place, it is very difficult to reverse.
Curated Content Guardian Safeguards

Adults with Disabilities: Decision-Making Rights & Support

  • December 20, 2024
  • 1 minute read
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Helpful Tips + Reference Guides

Related Resources

When someone manipulates a vulnerable person into changing their estate plan, affected family members may challenge the documents based on undue influence.
Curated Content Related Resources

Undue Influence: Proving Someone Manipulated an Estate Plan

  • April 15, 2026
  • 1 minute read
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Whether you’re an executor tasked with administering a loved one’s estate or a family member seeking to understand what lies ahead, this comprehensive guide will walk you through every step...
Curated Content Related Resources

Complete Guide to Estate Settlement in Canada

  • February 25, 2025
  • 1 minute read
Read More
As individuals approach the end of life, families often find themselves at the heart of crucial care decisions. It is essential for families to communicate openly, ensuring that all members feel supported and included in the decision-making process.
Curated Content Related Resources

Understanding The Role of Family in End-Of-Life Care Decisions

  • February 26, 2025
  • 2 minutes read
Read More
To file a dependant support claim against an estate, you must file a Notice of Application with the court and provide supporting evidence in an affidavit, typically within six months of the estate trustee being appointed. 
Generated Content Related Resources

How to File a Dependant Support Claim Against an Estate

  • July 15, 2025
  • 2 minutes read
Read More
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Recent Posts

Choosing the right estate trustee —at the planning stage— can be one of the most important decisions a testator makes. This case serves as a cautionary tale of what can happen when an estate trustee fails to appreciate the seriousness of the role...
July 3, 2026

Cautionary Tale: When Poor Administration Comes at a Cost

With many estates being administered over extended periods —by older spouses, siblings, or peers— the risk that an executor becomes incapable is very real and foreseeable. Planning for incapacity at the drafting stage is key...
June 26, 2026

What Happens When An Estate Executor Becomes Incapable?

Navigating the legal maze of Canadian Estate Planning can be exceptionally daunting due to the recent enforcement of transparency mandates across all provinces. This article examines the structural steps required to successfully execute a family trust in Canada...
June 21, 2026

How To Set Up a Family Trust in Canada: 2026 Action Plan

Before you set up a living trust, make sure you’re positive that it’s the right tool for your particular situation. Learn more in this step-by-step guide to setting up a living trust in Canada…
June 18, 2026

How Do I Set Up a Living (Inter Vivos) Trust in Canada?

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Our global curated content roundup is intended for information purposes only. We do not provide advisory services nor do we purport to offer direct legal advice. If you offer professional estate planning advisement, administration, or legal services, we welcome and encourage you to apply for a paid profile placement in our upcoming directory listings.

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Infamous Feuds + Celebrity Estates

Cautionary Tales

Inside Billionaire Rupert Murdoch’s Family Trust Battle
Curated Content Infamous Feuds

Inside Billionaire Rupert Murdoch’s Family Trust Battle

Heirs to an iconic fortune sought out a wealth manager who would assuage their progressive consciences. Now their dispute is exposing dynastic secrets...
Curated Content Infamous Feuds

Getty Trust Issues: Dispute Exposed Family Secrets

Dueling Trustees Battle Over Jimmy Buffett’s $275 Million Estate
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Dueling Trustees Battle Over Jimmy Buffett’s $275 Million Estate

Robert Redford's stunning $20m property portfolio revealed after Hollywood icon dies in his sleep aged 89
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Robert Redford’s Stunning $20m Property Portfolio

If you’re building wealth for future generations, open communication and clear planning are just as important as investment strategies. These stories offer practical lessons for anyone hoping to pass on wealth— or simply keep their family together...
Curated Content Infamous Feuds

Wealthy Families That Lost Everything Over Generational Feuds

Navigating the Evolving Landscape: Val Kilmer’s Digital Legacy
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Navigating the Evolving Landscape: Val Kilmer’s Digital Legacy

Bitter family feuds and succession battles are not new to the Canadian business landscape. In fact, some of Canada’s most prominent family-owned firms have had very public brawls...
Curated Content Infamous Feuds

Canada’s History of Family Firm Feuds Rivals “Succession”

The battle for the Sunjay Kapur empire has taken an explosive turn, as shocking allegations of a ‘forged will’ have surfaced, shaking the very foundation of this high-profile dispute.
Curated Content Infamous Feuds

Forged Will Allegations: Battle for The Sunjay Kapur Empire

Controversial Prince Documentary Cancelled Over Estate Dispute
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Controversial Prince Documentary Cancelled Over Estate Dispute

The backlash against AI-generated 'resurrections' of deceased celebrities underscores the urgent need for a robust ethical and legal framework to govern the use of digital likenesses, particularly after an individual's passing.
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Backlash Against AI ‘Resurrections’ of Deceased Celebrities

Often you hear that you should review your will or trust to make sure it keeps up with changes in your life and still meets your needs. The tragic death of Philip Seymour Hoffman, whose will became public due to the probate proceeding, brought some of these issues into the public eye.
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Unintended Consequences: Philip Seymour Hoffman’s Estate

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

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

Gore-Tex Heiress, Susan Gore, has been denied the right to adopt her 65-year-old ex-husband as a means to boost her family's inheritance fortune.
Curated Content Infamous Feuds

Court Ruling: Heiress Cannot Adopt Ex-Husband for Inheritance

The ongoing legal dispute within the Rothschild family over a stunning collection of art captures the intrigue surrounding one of the world’s most powerful families. As the case unfolds, the art world watches closely.
Curated Content Infamous Feuds

Rothschild Family Feud Erupts Over ‘Mini-Louvre’ Art Collection

Battles over Marilyn Monroe's estate shed light on the challenges of protecting intellectual property rights posthumously. Disputes emerged over the ownership and commercial use of her image and likeness. 
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Marilyn Monroe’s Estate Continues to Make People Rich… But Who???

Kate Rothko Prizel, the daughter of renowned abstract artist Mark Rothko, once said being 19 was the worst year of her life. Still only a teenager, in 1970, Prizel was embroiled in a bitter legal battle with her father’s estate executors and the directors of the Marlborough Fine Art gallery.
Curated Content Infamous Feuds

How Greed Rocked the Art World: The Estate of Mark Rothko

Robbie Robertson’s Children Accuse Widow of "Financial Elder Abuse" | Family Disputes | Celebrity Estates | Estates Gone Wrong
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Robbie Robertson’s Children Accuse Widow of “Financial Elder Abuse”

Suit claimed Dudesy podcast violated Carlin’s copyright, calling it ‘a casual theft of a great American artist’s work’... The lawsuit was one of the first in the US to focus on the legality of deepfakes imitating a celebrity’s likeness.
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

George Carlin’s Estate Settles Lawsuit Over “AI Doppelganger”

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: Estate & Trust Dispute

Exploring the legal, contractual, and federal challenges of AI-driven celebrity likeness—from state statutes to the proposed “No Fakes Act.”
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Postmortem Publicity Rights: Digital Use of Celebrity Likeness

By ensuring that your intentions are documented, accounting for all family members, and keeping the will simple, you can help your loved ones avoid legal battles and ensure your estate is handled smoothly.  
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Valuable Lessons in Clarity & Intent from Canadian Celebrity Estates

Disney is one of the biggest media companies in the world, with an estimated net worth of nearly $130 billion. From a family-trust-fund feud to generous philanthropic endeavors, here's a look at the three generations of the Disney family.
Curated Content Infamous Feuds

Disney Family Feud as Heirs Battle for $400 Million Trust Fund

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

Inheritance Mishaps from the Rich and Famous

If Hendrix had even done a simple will that properly spelled out his wishes, a large amount of the litigation would have been avoided and it would have ensured that his wishes were followed.
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

The Estate of Jimi Hendrix: Decades of Drama & Costly Litigation

Billionaire Family Feuds: The 7 Biggest Disputes
Curated Content Infamous Feuds

Billionaire Family Feuds: Seven High-Profile Disputes

Thirty paintings created by the bushy-haired, soft-spoken Bob Ross will soon be up for auction to defray the costs of programming for small and rural public television stations suffering under cuts in federal funding.
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Bob Ross Paintings to be Auctioned to Support Public TV Stations

real repercussions of inheriting real estate

Property Pitfalls

There can be sentimental reasons to keep inherited real estate, but —unless you plan to use the property personally— you should ask yourself: would you buy that real estate with an equivalent amount of cash?
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

Inheriting Real Estate: Ask Yourself “Would You Buy it?”

  • March 17, 2025
  • 1 minute read
Inheriting a Property With Your Siblings: What Are Your Options? | Family Disputes | Property Pitfalls | Real Estate | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

Inheriting a Property With Your Siblings: What Are Your Options?

  • May 30, 2024
  • 1 minute read
Leaving your house to your children can be a meaningful way to pass on your legacy, but it is important to consider all aspects of it.
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

Factors to Consider Before Leaving Your House to Your Children

  • November 4, 2024
  • Less than a minute
The decision of how to divide inherited property between siblings can be a complex one. In this article, Keystone explores how to divide inherited property between siblings fairly, and common disputes and solutions when inheriting a house with siblings.
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

Inheriting a House with Siblings: Not as Straightforward as it Seems

  • September 12, 2025
  • 1 minute read
How do you approach estate planning if your property is divided between Florida and another country? Don’t assume Florida and Canada have the same laws! Consider putting your Florida property into a Trust...
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

Florida Estate Planning for Canadian Snowbirds

  • December 18, 2024
  • Less than a minute
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
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Dying Saskatchewan Farmer’s Will Goes Down in History | Curated Content | Strange Bequests | Estates Gone Wrong

Bizarre Bequests

30
Priscilla Presley Settles Dispute with Granddaughter over Lisa Marie Presley's Estate | Curated Content | Celebrity Estates

Celebrity Estates

56
Family Conflict Results in Long-Term Estate Litigation over Secret Trust and Mutual Wills Agreement | Family Disputes | Estates Gone Wrong

Charitable Misgivings

32
Estate Planning: 6 Big Mistakes You Might Be Making | Curated Content | Common Mistakes | Estates Gone Wrong

Common Mistakes

46
What to Do when the Executor Is Not Communicating with Beneficiaries? | Curated Content | Communication Breakdowns | Estates Gone Wrong

Communication Breakdowns

42
Top 8 Risks: The Dangers of Improper Estate Planning | Common Mistakes | Cautionary Tales | Inheritance Horror Stories | Estates Gone Wrong

Digital Distress

54
Fights Over Estates Can Tear Families Apart | Curated Content | Family Disputes | Inheritance Horror Stories | Estates Gone Wrong

Family Disputes

68
Abusive Guardianships: Prevention & Taking Action

Guardian Safeguards

36
High Costs for Long-Term Care are 'Unforgivable' | Curated Content | Elder Care Nightmares | Estates Gone Wrong

Long-Term Care Crisis

36
What to Do if You Inherit a House with a Mortgage | Curated Content | Property Pitfalls | Real Estate | Inheriting Debt | Estates Gone Wrong

Property Pitfalls

52
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