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
Probate can be difficult to navigate, and it can become even trickier when it comes to contentious probate. This guide, by The University of Law (UK), sets out to answer some of the most important questions and explores how the process works...
Curated Content Related Resources

Everything You Need to Know about Contentious Probate (UK)

  • March 6, 2024
  • 1 minute read
Scenes that involve issues interwoven with estate planning principles: The Lion King, Storks, Despicible Me, Step Brothers, Up, Lost, Buried
Common Mistakes Curated Content

Estate Planning Principles: Scenes from the Silver Screen

  • November 14, 2018
  • Less than a minute
Not all couples want to be married, but there are some legal benefits that come with a government-recognized union. Unmarried couples should consider the following 9 Estate Planning tips...
Curated Content Related Resources

Estate Planning Tips for Unmarried Couples: United States

  • July 11, 2025
  • Less than a minute
Canada is on the brink of a historic wealth transfer, with estimates suggesting that up to $1 trillion could change hands over the next decade. With proper planning, the transition of wealth can be a smooth and positive experience.
Curated Content Related Resources

The Great Wealth Transfer: How Prepared are Canadians?

  • April 3, 2024
  • 1 minute read
What are the steps involved in administering an estate? How long does it typically take to administer an estate? What if I’m named as an executor but unwilling to serve? Here you'll find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions...
Curated Content Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Wills and Estates (BC)

  • June 10, 2024
  • 1 minute read
Estate Planning Services: Has the AI Revolution Arrived?
Curated Content Digital Distress

Estate Planning Services: Has the AI Revolution Already Arrived?

The things that matter most aren’t always in a bank account— "The $2 Million Lawsuit That Started Over Grandma’s Lasagna Recipe"...
Curated Content Family Disputes

Siblings Battle Over Rights to Grandma’s Lasagna Recipe

The 10 Strangest Inheritances of All Time | Curated Content | Strange Bequests | Weird Things People Left in Wills | Estates Gone Wrong
Bizarre Bequests Curated Content

10 of the Strangest Inheritances of All Time

Charitable Giving: Legacy is More than What You Leave Behind
Charitable Misgivings Curated Content

Charitable Giving: Legacy is More than What You Leave Behind

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

The "Marley v Rawlings" case —which concerned attempts to rectify a mistake made by a couple when signing their mirror wills— serves as a reminder of the necessity for attention to detail to avoid estate disputes.
Communication Breakdowns Curated Content

Marley v Rawlings: A Case Study in Clerical Errors &

  • January 31, 2025
  • 1 minute read
Estate planning is more than just drafting legal documents—it’s about preparing your loved ones for the future. The alternative—keeping plans under wraps—can leave loved ones unprepared...
Communication Breakdowns Curated Content

How Transparency Prevents Conflict in Estate Planning

  • January 1, 2025
  • 1 minute read
Central to this journey is the unwavering commitment to transparent communication... Although rife with complexity, estate administration can be navigated with sagacity and a judicious approach.
Communication Breakdowns Curated Content

Unwavering Commitment to Transparent Communication

  • April 10, 2025
  • 2 minutes read
Load More
random roundup

Filter By Topic

All Celebrity Estates Family Disputes Charitable Misgivings Common Mistakes Bizarre Bequests Long-Term Care Crisis Communication Breakdowns Property Pitfalls Digital Distress Guardian Safeguards
Val Kilmer's AI resurrection in 'As Deep as the Grave' is Hollywood's first posthumous performance— and the ethical questions are just starting. Every estate that controls a deceased actor's likeness rights is now watching...
Curated Content Digital Distress

Val Kilmer’s AI Resurrection: Legal, But… Not “Precedent-Proof”

  • March 26, 2026
  • 1 minute read
Estate Planning: How To Keep Track of Passwords, Access Keys, and PINs
Curated Content Digital Distress

Estate Planning: How To Keep Track of Passwords, Access Keys, and PINs

  • March 6, 2024
  • 1 minute read
Elderly and vulnerable people are prime targets for cybercriminals and scammers. Talk to your entire family about the common schemes that cybercriminals employ. Have a conversation about how they can protect themselves today.
Curated Content Digital Distress

Helping Elderly and Vulnerable Loved Ones Avoid Cyber Scams

  • October 23, 2025
  • 2 minutes read
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
Family Philanthropy: Passing Down with Purpose
Charitable Misgivings Curated Content

Family Philanthropy: Passing Down with Purpose

  • February 4, 2025
  • 1 minute read
$500K estate of woman under care of public guardian will go to Winnipeg Foundation. Court finds note leaving only $1 to family and friends, written by woman who led 'solitary life,' is valid...
Charitable Misgivings Curated Content

Court Rules in Favour of Winnipeg Foundation in $500k Estate Case

  • May 26, 2025
  • 1 minute read
Curated Content Digital Distress

Digital Asset Controversy Outrages Online Gamers

  • November 26, 2024
  • 1 minute read
Open Family Conversation About Your Will with a Focus on Charities | Charitable Bequests | Estate Planning | Estates Gone Wrong
Charitable Misgivings Curated Content

Open Family Conversation About Your Will with a Focus on Charities

  • April 29, 2021
  • 1 minute read
Truly Wild Inheritance Stories: From Entire Towns to Century-Old Denim
Bizarre Bequests Curated Content

Truly Wild Inheritance Stories: From Entire Towns to Century-Old Denim

  • April 12, 2025
  • Less than a minute
If you have kids, you need to name a guardian for them when making your will. Consider these steps to help you make this important decision.
Curated Content Guardian Safeguards

5 Steps to Choosing a Guardian for Your Children

  • July 25, 2023
  • 1 minute read
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: The Search for Missing Assets

  • February 14, 2025
  • Less than a minute
Putting conditions on bequests to heirs can ensure your beneficiaries act in accordance with your wishes. It could also spark litigation and harm family relationships.
Bizarre Bequests Curated Content

Conditional Bequests: Proceed with Caution

  • March 4, 2024
  • 1 minute read
guardian safeguards + eldercare nightmares

The Importance of Planning for
Custody & Long-Term Care

A single man is drawn into a custody battle with his mother. The judge ultimately has to decide who will be the best guardian for Mary.
Dramatized Content Guardian Safeguards

Gifted | Court Battle Over Guardianship | Drama Film |

  • April 7, 2017
  • 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
Long-Term Care Statistics: Make Informed Decisions | Elder Care | Health Care Costs | Statistics | Retirement Planning | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Long-Term Care Crisis

Long-Term Care Statistics: Make Informed Decisions

  • July 25, 2024
  • 1 minute read
Load More
Helpful Tips + Reference Guides

Related Resources

The initial loss of a loved one is a traumatic experience all on it’s own, but the multitude of losses that follow are surprising, and just as painful. These "secondary losses" are all the messy, unexpected, complicated consequences that come after loss; they exacerbate feelings of sadness, isolation, and stress.
Curated Content Related Resources

Secondary Losses: The Ripple Effect of Losing a Loved One

  • March 20, 2025
  • 1 minute read
Read More
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

  • December 14, 2023
  • 4 minutes read
Read More
When a beneficiary cannot be located during the probate process, executors have a legal duty to make reasonable efforts to find them. This guide outlines the steps executors should take to fulfill their obligations...
Curated Content Related Resources

What Should Executors Do If They Can’t Locate a Beneficiary?

  • April 16, 2025
  • Less than a minute
Read More
It’s important to acknowledge that death is a part of life and think about preparations with a consumer mentality. Just like with other significant purchases, we have to educate ourselves before we buy...
Curated Content Related Resources

A Consumer’s Guide to Funeral Planning

  • August 15, 2023
  • 2 minutes read
Read More
Load More

Recent Posts

Inheriting a collection is a significant emotional and financial event. It connects us to our past, to loved ones, and to histories that may span generations. Yet, it also presents a daunting challenge: how to decide what to keep and what to sell. 
May 30, 2026

Inherited Collectibles: Practical Tips for Deciding What to Keep or Sell

Over the past decade, a caregiving crisis has been building in the workplace. Currently, 35% of the Canadian workforce or 8 million people, are struggling and juggling their work responsibilities with caregiving duties.
May 25, 2026

Caregiving Crisis at Work: Millions of Canadians Struggling

When New York Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the Medical Aid in Dying Act into law on Feb. 6, 2026, she included an unusual provision: patients requesting medical aid in dying must make an audio or video recording of their oral request...
May 21, 2026

Medical Aid in Dying: New York State’s Unusual New Requirement

Discretionary trusts can be an effective way to provide for beneficiaries without granting them fixed entitlements. However, these structures can create uncertainty for beneficiaries... Understanding the legal framework is critical for both sides.
May 21, 2026

Ontario Guide to Discretionary Trusts and Beneficiary Rights

Directory Listings

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.

Share Your Profile
Infamous Feuds + Celebrity Estates

Cautionary Tales

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

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

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

Murdoch Family Legal Battle Highlights a Harsh Reality: No Trust is Airtight | Family Disputes | Celebrity Estates | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Infamous Feuds

Murdoch Family Legal Battle: “No Trust is Airtight!”

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

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

Who inherited Jimi Hendrix’s estate? The answer is more complicated than many might assume. This article explores the distribution of his fortune, the legal disputes that followed, and who ultimately controls his estate today...
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Legendary Legal Battle: The Heavily Contested Estate of Jimi Hendrix

Robin Williams' family, though provided for in his will, spent years after his passing in court battling over items, budgets and Knick knacks because the language in the beloved comedian's will was non-specific and overly vague.
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Cautionary Tale: Overly Vague Language in Robin Williams Will

These heiresses —Evalyn Walsh McLean, Catherine Tylney-Long, Christina Onassis, Barbara Hutton, and Barbara Baekland— learned that some prices are too high to pay, even when you can afford anything money can buy.
Curated Content Infamous Feuds

The Cursed Fortunes That Destroyed Their Heiresses

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

Robert De Niro is said to have plans to leave his seventh child a huge bite of his fortune – leaving his other relatives peeved... De Niro's older children reportedly want an equal cut of his massive estate.
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Robert De Niro Sparks ‘Family Feud’ with His Plans to Revamp Will

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

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

Pablo Picasso, one of the most influential and renowned artists of the 20th century, left a lasting legacy through his groundbreaking artwork. However, the probate process that followed his death in 1973 was anything but straightforward.
Curated Content Infamous Feuds

From Canvas to Courtroom: The Legal Battle Over Picasso’s 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”

Estate planning becomes more complicated when assets, citizenship and tax rules extend beyond a single country. In this episode of Celebrity Estates, David Lenok speaks with Martin Behn about these challenges.
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Celebrity Estates Podcast: Cross-Border Planning Lessons

Gene Roddenberry is widely known as the mind behind Star Trek but less well known is his ugly estate litigation fight that centered around the definition of “Star Trek.”
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

To Boldly Go Where No Estate Litigation Has Gone Before

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

Richard Simmons’ Estate: Family in Legal Battle with Housekeeper

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

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

Billionaire Family Feuds: Seven High-Profile Disputes

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

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

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

Actress Diane Keaton left behind not just a remarkable legacy but an important reminder about estate planning for our pets.
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Pet Trusts: What We Can Learn from Diane Keaton’s Estate

The Agnellis, Italy's ‘royal family’ of industry, has played a pivotal role in shaping global business and culture but a bitter feud is driving the Fiat family apart
Curated Content Infamous Feuds

The Agnelli Dynasty: Bitter 20-Year Inheritance Feud

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

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

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

real repercussions of inheriting real estate

Property Pitfalls

Any property that you own in the UK, be it land or buildings, can be bequeathed to someone in your will. However, the way in which you own the property impacts how it can be passed on.
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

Including Property in Your Will in the UK: What You Should Know

  • April 15, 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 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
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
Home Ownership: Joint Tenants vs Tenants in Common | There are three main ways that a homeowner can own a home, and the way title is held dramatically affects their estate and heirs...
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

Home Ownership: Joint Tenants vs Tenants in Common

  • February 4, 2025
  • Less than a minute
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
Load More

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

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
Story Submissions

We know, this can be a very sensitive topic. If you have a personal story or a cautionary tale —a link to a specific article, blog post, or recommended resource that you found particularly helpful in your own estate planning and administration journey— anonymous submissions are welcomed and encouraged.

Share Your Story