If you’re between 35 and 65, chances are you know someone who has been diagnosed with a terminal illness. It’s a tough reality, but if there’s still time, helping them get their estate in order can provide peace of mind for them and their loved ones.
Curated Content Related Resources

Estate Planning for the Terminally Ill: A Practical Guide

  • April 7, 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
Individual family members bring their own perspectives and values to the estate planning process. However, good communication can help head off potential multi-generational conflicts before they happen.
Communication Breakdowns Curated Content

Generational Estate Planning: Communication is Key!

  • May 10, 2022
  • 1 minute read
Bringing wills into the 21st century: will major inheritance law reform soothe or spark legal battles?
Curated Content Law Reform

Could Inheritance Law Reform in England & Wales Spark Legal Battles?

  • July 21, 2025
  • 1 minute read
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

  • January 9, 2025
  • Less than a minute
Acting as an Estate Trustee can be challenging. It is important to appoint an individual who is responsible and reliable to fulfil this role as they have a fiduciary responsibility to the beneficiaries.
Curated Content Frequently Asked Questions

What is an Estate Trustee? What are their Responsibilities?

  • July 18, 2025
  • 3 minutes read
Wills and estate planning aren’t just for old, wealthy people. Every adult needs a plan. You’ll feel more confident about your future after you’ve made these decisions and communicated them to the people you care about most.
Curated Content Related Resources

Estate Planning: Six Steps to Getting Started

Dealing with a loved one’s digital assets after their death can be complicated, especially in the absence of a clear legal framework. This article will take you through what a digital asset is and how to handle them.
Curated Content Digital Distress

Handling Digital Assets: Legal Considerations in the UK

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

Your spouse has been diagnosed with a distressing illness that may be terminal. What can you do to help your children cope as well as possible, so you all move on as healthy, strong, and resilient as possible?
Curated Content Related Resources

Critical Diagnosis in The Family: Helping Children Cope

Selling or transferring an inherited cottage in Canada often triggers capital gains tax, even though Canada does not have an inheritance tax. If you are administering an estate or planning a future transfer, early tax clarity can prevent costly mistakes later.
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

Selling or Transferring an Inherited Cottage in Canada

valuable lessons learned from

Communication Breakdowns
& Family Disputes

Alleged Undue Influence & Incapacity Dismissed by Ontario Superior Court
Communication Breakdowns Curated Content

Alleged Undue Influence & Incapacity Dismissed by Court

  • September 5, 2024
  • 2 minutes read
The First Step: Open Conversation with Loved Ones | Communication Breakdowns | We Need to Talk About Estate Planning | Estates Gone Wrong
Communication Breakdowns Curated Content

The First Step: Open Conversation with Loved Ones

  • September 5, 2024
  • 1 minute read
Curated Content Family Disputes

Litigation Over Lost Will Depletes ‘Very Modest’ Estate

  • August 30, 2024
  • 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
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
Many family farms are comprised of large, valuable parcels of farmland that have been passed down through generations. This blog post highlights why family farm operations are uniquely susceptible to estate battles.
Curated Content Family Disputes

Family Farm Operations: Uniquely Susceptible to Estate Disputes

  • July 18, 2025
  • 1 minute read
Millionaires Can Be Eccentric: The Great Stork Derby | Curated Content | Strange Bequests | Estates Gone Wrong
Bizarre Bequests Curated Content

Millionaires Can Be Eccentric: The Great Stork Derby

  • December 20, 2022
  • 1 minute read
Paris Jackson has gone public with allegations that the longtime trustees of her late father’s estate have been misappropriating funds and mismanaging one of the most valuable entertainment empires in history.
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Jackson Estate: Is Michael’s Daughter Receiving Terrible Advice?

  • May 8, 2026
  • 1 minute read
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

  • June 7, 2023
  • 1 minute read
Early inheritance is an increasingly popular route towards homeownership: a way for Canadian families to support younger generations...
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

Early Inheritance is Trending: Canada’s ‘Living Legacy’ Movement

  • March 27, 2025
  • 1 minute read
Vulnerable adult guardianship court cases involve legal proceedings where a court appoints a guardian to make decisions on behalf of an adult who is deemed incapable of making their own decisions.
Generated Content Guardian Safeguards

Protecting Vulnerable Adults: Court Should Be a Last Resort!

  • July 8, 2025
  • 1 minute read
Guardianship is often described as a last resort, but without proper planning, it can quickly spiral into one of the most stressful legal battles a family faces. The good news is that guardianship nightmares are preventable with proper estate planning.
Curated Content Guardian Safeguards

Guardianship Nightmares: Costly Mistakes & How to Avoid Them

  • October 1, 2025
  • Less than a minute
Addressing Common Communication Challenges in Estate Planning
Communication Breakdowns Curated Content

Addressing Common Communication Challenges in Estate Planning

  • June 10, 2024
  • 1 minute read
Charitable Giving: Legacy is More than What You Leave Behind
Charitable Misgivings Curated Content

Charitable Giving: Legacy is More than What You Leave Behind

  • April 4, 2025
  • 2 minutes read
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

  • October 25, 2024
  • 1 minute read
Series stars Stephen Fry as Peter Kingdom, who is coping with family, colleagues, and the strange locals who come to him for legal assistance.
Dramatized Content Family Disputes

Kingdom | British Comedy-Drama Series | 2007-2009

  • April 22, 2007
  • Less than a minute
guardian safeguards + eldercare nightmares

The Importance of Planning for
Custody & Long-Term Care

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
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
If you’ve unexpectedly taken over legal guardianship of a minor or disabled person, you may be scrambling to figure out what your next steps should be...
Curated Content Guardian Safeguards

What to Do When You Unexpectedly Become a Guardian

  • November 21, 2020
  • 1 minute read
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Helpful Tips + Reference Guides

Related Resources

Mental Health Impacting Intergenerational Wealth Transfers [Podcast Episode]
Curated Content Related Resources

The Impact of Mental Health on Intergenerational Wealth Transfers

  • June 10, 2024
  • 1 minute read
Read More
For ultra-high-net-worth families, wealth management is about more than managing money. It’s also about envisioning strategic planning for the future, including planning for assets as they pass from one generation to the next...
Curated Content Related Resources

Successfully Navigating Legacy Planning: Five Key Factors

  • September 5, 2024
  • 2 minutes 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
This episode of Financial Decoder explores inheritance from both perspectives: the person planning to pass on wealth and the heir receiving it.
Curated Content Related Resources

Financial Decoder Podcast Examines “Both Sides of an Inheritance”

  • April 13, 2026
  • 1 minute read
Read More
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Recent Posts

What happens when the domestic tax rules of two different countries look at the same person and both conclude that the individual is a tax resident?
May 12, 2026

Navigating Dual-Residency: Canada’s Tax Treaty Tie-Breakers

Paris Jackson has gone public with allegations that the longtime trustees of her late father’s estate have been misappropriating funds and mismanaging one of the most valuable entertainment empires in history.
May 8, 2026

Jackson Estate: Is Michael’s Daughter Receiving Terrible Advice?

Ontario’s approach is deliberately cautious. A posthumously conceived child is entitled to inherit only if all statutory requirements are satisfied.
May 8, 2026

Posthumous Conception and Inheritance in Ontario

Mercedes Kilmer addresses mixed reactions to her late Father's precedent-setting AI-generated posthumous performance in "As Deep as the Grave"...
April 29, 2026

Kilmer’s Daughter Defends Late Father’s AI-Generated Performance

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Infamous Feuds + Celebrity Estates

Cautionary Tales

This article delves into the estates of five legendary individuals: Bob Ross, Stan Lee, Michael Jackson, Marilyn Monroe, and Paul Walker. These inheritance battles shed light on the significance of explicit planning for intellectual property.
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Legendary Lessons: Protecting Intellectual Property

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”

The longstanding feud among the heirs of Sol Goldman’s vast New York real estate fortune has reignited. This is the latest chapter in a family conflict that dates back to the 1980s... 
Curated Content Infamous Feuds

NYC Real Estate Dynasty Heirs Intensify Feud Over Property Empire

Six Estate Planning Mistakes Celebrities Made | Curated Content | Celebrity Estates | Estates Gone Wrong | A will isn't enough...
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Six Estate Planning Mistakes Celebrities Made

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

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

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

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

Jay Pritzker quietly built a $15 billion empire of more than 200 companies, including Hyatt Hotels Corp., and a network of 1,000 family trusts.
Curated Content Infamous Feuds

Pritzker Family Settles Dispute with $900 Million Agreement

An Ontario judge's looming decision on whether to compel the Stronach Group to disclose evidence of any coverup of sexual misconduct may add yet a new dimension to a deepening scandal surrounding the multinational's billionaire founder.
Curated Content Infamous Feuds

Succession-like Battle Over Family’s Billions: The Stronach Case

From legendary musicians to business moguls, read on to discover some of the bitterest inheritance battles of all time. 
Curated Content Infamous Feuds

Battle of Wills: 25 Infamous Inheritance Disputes

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

Billionaire Family Feuds: Seven High-Profile Disputes

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

Family in Legal Battle with Housekeeper over Richard Simmons' Estate
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Richard Simmons’ Estate: Family in Legal Battle with Housekeeper

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

Director Norman Jewison's wife cut him off from family, coerced him to change $30M will, lawsuits claimed. Legal fight between filmmaker's sons, 2nd wife highlights end-of-life struggles many families face...
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Family Members Clash Over Director Norman Jewison’s Estate

Controversial Prince Documentary Cancelled Over Estate Dispute
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Controversial Prince Documentary Cancelled Over Estate Dispute

Few narrative devices expose human venality with the precision of inheritance theft. This collection of ten films rigorously examines the subgenre to explore the psychological and legal intricacies of usurped fortunes.
Dramatized Content Infamous Feuds

Estate Disputes & Inheritance Theft Themes Explored in 10 Films

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

Inside Billionaire Rupert Murdoch’s Family Trust Battle

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

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

Estate Planning Mistakes of the Rich and Famous

This video unpacks the 2024 court case involving Zong Qinghou's heirs, the $1.8 billion trust dispute, and the clash between Zong Fuli and three U.S.-based claimants.
Curated Content Infamous Feuds

Wahaha’s Inheritance Battle: Family Feud & Trust Dispute

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

Agreement Reached in Dispute over Charley Pride’s Will

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

Paris Jackson has gone public with allegations that the longtime trustees of her late father’s estate have been misappropriating funds and mismanaging one of the most valuable entertainment empires in history.
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Jackson Estate: Is Michael’s Daughter Receiving Terrible Advice?

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

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.
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Michael Jackson’s Daughter Paris Challenges Estate Executors

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

real repercussions of inheriting real estate

Property Pitfalls

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
Strategies For Passing On Property To Your Heirs | Property Pitfalls | Real Estate | Estate Planning | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

Real Estate: Strategies for Passing Property to Your Heirs

  • February 23, 2024
  • 1 minute read
If you are considering adding someone to the title of your home for estate planning purposes, it is essential to seek professional guidance in order to mitigate the risks of doing so...
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

How Using Joint Tenancy as an Estate Planning Tool Can Go Wrong

  • April 16, 2025
  • 2 minutes read
What to Do if You Inherit a House with a Mortgage | Curated Content | Property Pitfalls | Real Estate | Inheriting Debt | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

What to Do if You Inherit a House with a Mortgage

  • August 27, 2024
  • 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
Trying to figure out the best way to pass your home to your children? Making the right choice between a gift or trust can save your family money and headaches in the long run.
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

Gift or Trust? The ‘Correct Way’ to Pass Your Home to Your Children

  • January 17, 2025
  • Less than a minute
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Explore Topics

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

44
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

65
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

34
What to Do if You Inherit a House with a Mortgage | Curated Content | Property Pitfalls | Real Estate | Inheriting Debt | Estates Gone Wrong

Property Pitfalls

50
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