When a parent leaves an inheritance as a legacy for their children, the intent is always to secure their future. Statistics tell us that 1-in-3 heirs end up blowing all the money, rather than stewarding it well.
Common Mistakes Curated Content

How One Woman Almost Lost a $4M Inheritance

  • January 31, 2025
  • 1 minute read
Billionaire Family Feuds: The 7 Biggest Disputes
Curated Content Infamous Feuds

Billionaire Family Feuds: Seven High-Profile Disputes

  • April 26, 2024
  • Less than a minute
One way to plan financially for long-term care is to create a trust. It can be an incredibly useful tool to protect your assets if you become incapacitated and to shield your assets to qualify for certain long-term care benefits.
Curated Content Long-Term Care Crisis

How to Use a Trust to Plan for Long-Term Care

  • January 23, 2023
  • 1 minute read
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

  • September 3, 2024
  • 1 minute read
Philanthropy is a significant part of your life. It's a reflection of your values and the legacy you wish to leave behind. However, ensuring that your beloved charities are named in your Will requires careful planning and attention to detail.
Charitable Misgivings Curated Content

How to Ensure Your Beloved Charities are Named in Your Will

  • November 30, 2024
  • Less than a minute
While the prospect of helping out a loved one may seem like an attractive opportunity, the informal nature of these loans carries the risk of non-payment. Relationships change and goodwill can disappear. Lenders may have to turn to legal claims to recoup their funds.
Curated Content Family Disputes

Informal Loan Agreements: Goodwill is Not a Guarantee

  • August 12, 2024
  • Less than a minute
Survivor's guilt stems from a profound sense of injustice. You may be left wondering "why not me?" and feeling responsible or inadequate. It is important to validate your grief by acknowledging these intense emotions without judgment.
Generated Content Related Resources

Understanding Survivor’s Guilt: Outliving Your Adult Child

Frequently Asked Questions: Role & Responsibilities of The Executor
Curated Content Frequently Asked Questions

How Much Time & Effort is Involved in Serving as an Estate Executor?

Inheriting Real Estate in Canada: What You Need to Know
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

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

Lawyers Alison and Jillian Barrett, from Maurice Blackburn, tackle problems everyday Aussies face. In this article, they address the following question– posed by a woman who 'isn't happy with her inheritance'.
Charitable Misgivings Curated Content

Mum’s $20k Inheritance Gift to Charity ‘Upsets’ Daughter: Australia

Will your family inherit your outstanding debts? Who’s responsible for paying them off? Can creditors pursue your beneficiaries for payment?
Common Mistakes Curated Content

Don’t Leave Your Family Battling Debt Collectors

valuable lessons learned from

Communication Breakdowns
& Family Disputes

Tips to Help Siblings Avoid or Resolve an Estate Battle | Curated Content | Family Disputes | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Family Disputes

Tips to Help Siblings Avoid or Resolve an Estate Battle

  • August 5, 2024
  • Less than a minute
Ontario's Family Law Act: "Entitlement to Equalization" in Action | Family Disputes | Court Battles | Case Ruling | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Family Disputes

Ontario’s Family Law Act: Entitlement to Equalization

  • September 16, 2024
  • 1 minute read
This cautionary tale serves as a reminder of how important it is to carefully plan, draft, and update your Will with the help of an experienced advisor. Doing so can prevent misunderstandings and disputes, and ensure that your wishes are truly fulfilled.
Communication Breakdowns Curated Content

Will Interpretation: Alberta Court Decision Serves as Cautionary Tale

  • April 28, 2025
  • 2 minutes 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
A charitable legacy can be an integral part of estate planning, providing a meaningful way to support community initiatives, educational institutions, medical research, or other important causes. The process involves allocating a portion of your estate to benefit causes or organizations you care about, but how is this done?
Charitable Misgivings Curated Content

How To Leave a Charitable Legacy through Your Estate Plan

  • January 9, 2025
  • 1 minute read
March is Fraud Prevention Month and with reported cases of fraud rising, seniors are encouraged to increase their awareness of current scams and learn how they can protect themselves.
Curated Content Digital Distress

Cyber Scams: Fraud Prevention Resources for Canadian Seniors

  • March 10, 2025
  • 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
Canadian professional advisors ought to be cautious when advising U.S. donors.  Although most charitable donations to Canadian charities are likely allowed as a deduction for U.S. tax purposes, it comes with some limitations; notably, the deduction is only applied for Canadian source income and only if the Canadian registered charity meets the U.S. requirements of a qualified charity.
Charitable Misgivings Curated Content

Tax Benefit Limitations: Cross-Border Charitable Donation

  • July 15, 2025
  • 1 minute read
Ever thought about gifting a property to your children? I recently had this very discussion with my own aging parents. This resulted in some important discussions about our family home, their goals and consideration for the tax outcomes of any decisions made...
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

Transferring the Family Home: Considerations for Canadians

  • December 4, 2025
  • 1 minute read
On occasions a will may have been prepared in such a manner that it is not clear precisely what the testator intended. Competing interpretations can often lead to a dispute between parties...
Communication Breakdowns Curated Content

What Happens When a Will is Vague or Ambiguous?

  • March 19, 2025
  • 1 minute read
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
Accessing a deceased loved one's digital accounts is a complex issue, often resulting in legal battles and emotional distress for families. Advocates continue to push for clearer policies and legal frameworks to address the challenges of digital inheritance...
Digital Distress Generated Content

Accessing a Deceased Loved One’s Digital Accounts

  • July 22, 2025
  • 2 minutes read
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

  • September 10, 2020
  • 1 minute read
It is important to understand the limited purpose and necessity behind 'Net Family Property' clauses. They are not a catchall for sheltering and protecting the inheritance of a divorcing beneficiary, although they usually have the appearance of trying to achieve this objective.
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

Understanding the ‘Net Family Property’ Exclusion Clause: Ontario

  • August 12, 2025
  • 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
This article will discuss three of the main types of IP rights in Canada and explore why having a will is essential for dealing with IP after death and for safeguarding IP assets for future generations.
Common Mistakes Curated Content

Estate Planning For Intellectual Property Protection

  • January 28, 2025
  • 1 minute read
guardian safeguards + eldercare nightmares

The Importance of Planning for
Custody & Long-Term Care

Watching your elderly parent(s) struggle with dwindling financial resources can be a distressing and overwhelming experience. However, there are steps you can take to address this situation effectively and ensure your parent receives the care and support they need.
Curated Content Long-Term Care Crisis

What to Do When Your Elderly Parent is Running Out

  • September 25, 2023
  • Less than a minute
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
As we grow older and enter retirement, we face many LIFE-CHANGING decisions. We must consider long-term care, financial well-being, and, ultimately, our end-of-life planning. Fortunately, there are legislations in place to protect the rights and interests of older individuals.
Curated Content Long-Term Care Crisis

Elder Care Law: A Comprehensive Guide for Families

  • May 31, 2024
  • 1 minute read
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Helpful Tips + Reference Guides

Related Resources

Whether you are approaching retirement or on the receiving end of an inheritance, there are a few simple steps you and your family can take to ensure a smoother transition. This guide will help you navigate "The Great Wealth Transfer"...
Curated Content Related Resources

Comprehensive Guide to “The Great Wealth Transfer”

  • December 10, 2024
  • 1 minute read
Read More
Comprehensive estate planning can help you achieve your future financial goals, and your executor will thank you. Hello, I’m Leanne Kaufman, and welcome to RBC Wealth Management Canada’s Matters Beyond Wealth podcast...
Curated Content Related Resources

Matters Beyond Wealth Podcast: Estate & Legacy Planning are Vital

  • February 11, 2025
  • Less than a minute
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
It might be the hardest part of caregiving — watching your loved one slip away step by terrible step, knowing you can’t stop the decline and grieving the loss, long before they’re actually gone.
Curated Content Related Resources

Five Steps for Dealing with Anticipatory Grief

  • May 16, 2022
  • 3 minutes read
Read More
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Recent Posts

Estate law remains deeply jurisdiction-specific. How the law will recognize family relationships can easily differ across provincial lines. If you intend for someone to benefit from your estate, that intention must be expressed clearly.
March 13, 2026

Jurisdiction Matters: What Makes You a ‘Child’ in an Estate?

Nearly 17 years after Michael's death, his daughter Paris has formally challenged the lawyers managing the estate. The dispute raises questions about transparency in managing one of the most profitable celebrity estates in entertainment history.
March 12, 2026

Michael Jackson’s Daughter Paris Challenges Estate Executors

Family Business Succession: Entrepreneurs can plan for future generational transitions by implementing a corporation governance framework.
March 10, 2026

Family Business: Planning for Future Generational Transitions

The estate of Hulk Hogan is pushing back forcefully against a claim that seeks $10 million over the origins of the wrestler's branded beer business, setting the stage for a high-stakes legal battle.
March 10, 2026

Hulk Hogan’s Heirs Wrestling with $10 Million Beer Brand Lawsuit

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Infamous Feuds + Celebrity Estates

Cautionary Tales

The true story of a multi-billion dollar art heist and how they got away with it... 2009 Documentary follows the struggle for control of Dr. Albert C. Barnes' 25 billion dollar collection of modern and post-impressionist art.
Dramatized Content Infamous Feuds

The Art of the Steal | Documentary | 2009

Stan Lee, the iconic co-creator of Marvel superheroes, became center of a high-profile elder abuse lawsuit...
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Elder Abuse Lawsuit Against Stan Lee’s Ex-Manager

When high-profile celebrities pass away, their estate disputes often make headlines. However, the legal challenges their estates face are not exclusive to those of the rich and famous.
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Prevent Costly Missteps: Lessons from Celebrity Estate Disputes

Celebrity Estates Curated Content

What We Can Learn From Celebrity Estate Planning Gone Wrong

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

Inside Billionaire Rupert Murdoch’s Family Trust Battle

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

Barry White’s estate story is a heartbreaking reminder of how simple updates to your estate plan can save your family from unnecessary pain. His estate saga serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of neglecting to update your estate plan after major life changes.
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Keep Your Documents Up-to-Date: Lessons from Barry White’s Estate

The name John Seward Johnson probably means very little to you, but you’ve certainly know the company that Johnson’s father co-founded. That’s right – Johnson & Johnson, the maker of baby products we’ve all used for generations.
Curated Content Infamous Feuds

Disinherited Children: Battle Over The Johnson & Johnson Legacy

The Legacy of Bob Ross: Lessons in Succession Planning
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

The Legacy of Bob Ross: Lessons in Succession Planning

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

James Gandolfini’s estate planning missteps cost $30M. The oversight in Gandolfini’s plan serves as a reminder of the risks involved in relying solely on a will— no matter how straightforward the intent.
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Estate Planning Lessons from James Gandolfini’s $70 Million Estate

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”

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

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

Divergent Estate Plans of Ike & Tina Turner Provide Valuable Insights: The contrasting estate plans of Tina Turner and Ike Turner serve as instructive examples of the importance of effective estate planning.
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Divergent Estate Plans of Ike & Tina Turner Provide Valuable Insights

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

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

Probate Disputes: The Top 10 Estate Battles Of All Time

The Guinness family’s story shows that inheritance without structure can lead to division... When assets, wishes, and responsibilities are clearly defined, you’re not just protecting your property—you’re protecting your family’s relationships and legacy.
Curated Content Infamous Feuds

Inheritance Conflict & Division: Lessons from The Guinness Family

The members of one of Canada’s wealthiest dynasties are now openly accusing each other of reckless spending, incompetent leadership and outright fraud... in a web of litigation so complex it could keep them bound up in court for years to come.
Curated Content Infamous Feuds

Stronach Family Trust Dispute: Inside the $500-Million Feud

The estate of Hulk Hogan is pushing back forcefully against a claim that seeks $10 million over the origins of the wrestler's branded beer business, setting the stage for a high-stakes legal battle.
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Hulk Hogan’s Heirs Wrestling with $10 Million Beer Brand Lawsuit

Daughters of late Hollywood legend Paul Newman filed a lawsuit against the Newman's Own Foundation (NOF), claiming their father's legacy is "under assault" by the "very organization he founded in an effort to preserve and expand that legacy."
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Paul Newman’s Daughters Claim Father’s Legacy is ‘Under Assault’

Succession-style feud settled as court sides with Edward Rogers: The fight for Rogers Communications has riven one of Canada’s richest families— and it began with an accidental 'butt dial'...
Curated Content Infamous Feuds

Succession-Style Feud: The Fight for Rogers Communications

Agreement Reached in Dispute over Charley Pride's Will
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Agreement Reached in Dispute over Charley Pride’s Will

Following the death of Ozzy Osbourne, headlines turned to an alleged change to his will, in which Ozzy stipulated that his widow, Sharon, is to receive a dozen black roses a week for the rest of her life...
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Ozzy Osbourne’s “Black Roses” Request

Glastonbury Founder Could Avoid £80m in Inheritance Tax
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Glastonbury Founder Could Avoid £80m in Inheritance Tax

The Anna Nicole Smith estate saga is more than just a celebrity courtroom drama; it's a cautionary tale with lessons for everyone, according to attorney John Levy. 
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Case Study: Anna Nicole Smith Estate Saga Offers Lessons for All

Foreman established a distinctive personal legacy marked by a large blended family and a multimillion-dollar estate. His unique family dynamic highlights the importance of proper estate planning: crucial when managing multiple heirs, complex family relationships, and shared family names.
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

George Foreman’s Legacy: Lessons for Complex Blended Families

The Menendez Estate: Who Got the Money?
Curated Content Infamous Feuds

The Menendez Estate: What Happened to the Money?

real repercussions of inheriting real estate

Property Pitfalls

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

  • June 18, 2024
  • 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
If you and your siblings are on track to one day inherit your parents’ home, take heed of this cautionary tale, and learn how to avoid the same fate. Does this man owe his siblings anything more? All the experts to share their take on the situation.
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

Inheriting a Home With Your Siblings: What Can Go Wrong?

  • January 16, 2025
  • 1 minute read
Many Canadians dream of buying a property by the sea in Florida or a golf course in Arizona. But what happens at the time of death? Buying a property in the United States takes planning...
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

Canadian Will & U.S. Property: Avoiding Probate Takes Planning

  • February 10, 2025
  • 1 minute read
The Pitfalls of Joint Ownership: Know the Risks
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

The Pitfalls of Joint Ownership: Know the Risks

  • May 22, 2025
  • 1 minute read
Are you planning to leave real estate to a loved one under your Will? Do you want that property to be transferred free of debt or other claims? Language matters!
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

Navigating Bequests of Real Estate: Language Matters!

  • August 8, 2025
  • 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

28
Priscilla Presley Settles Dispute with Granddaughter over Lisa Marie Presley's Estate | Curated Content | Celebrity Estates

Celebrity Estates

48
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

42
What to Do when the Executor Is Not Communicating with Beneficiaries? | Curated Content | Communication Breakdowns | Estates Gone Wrong

Communication Breakdowns

40
Top 8 Risks: The Dangers of Improper Estate Planning | Common Mistakes | Cautionary Tales | Inheritance Horror Stories | Estates Gone Wrong

Digital Distress

46
Fights Over Estates Can Tear Families Apart | Curated Content | Family Disputes | Inheritance Horror Stories | Estates Gone Wrong

Family Disputes

58
Abusive Guardianships: Prevention & Taking Action

Guardian Safeguards

30
High Costs for Long-Term Care are 'Unforgivable' | Curated Content | Elder Care Nightmares | Estates Gone Wrong

Long-Term Care Crisis

32
What to Do if You Inherit a House with a Mortgage | Curated Content | Property Pitfalls | Real Estate | Inheriting Debt | Estates Gone Wrong

Property Pitfalls

40
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