Cross-border capacity and guardianship issues are becoming increasingly common as families, assets, and caregiving arrangements span jurisdictions.
Curated Content Guardian Safeguards

Cross-Border Guardianship: Capacity Case Spans Jurisdictions

  • March 27, 2026
  • 1 minute read
Estate Planning and Succession Planning— What exactly are the differences between the two? And which one do you need to plan for a secure future for your loved ones?
Curated Content Succession Lessons

Estate Planning vs. Succession Planning

  • July 4, 2025
  • 1 minute read
Dealing with property matters after the loss of a loved one can be overwhelming. Learn how to navigate Ontario's survivorship application process effectively with this comprehensive guide.
Curated Content Related Resources

Guide to Completing a Survivorship Application in Ontario

  • November 28, 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
Over 6 million Canadians aged 15 and older identifies having one or more disabilities. Today, we're talking about estate planning for disabled beneficiaries in British Columbia.
Curated Content Related Resources

How to Safeguard Your Disabled Loved Ones in Your Estate Plan

  • March 26, 2026
  • 1 minute read
The Probate Process: Frequently Asked Questions
Curated Content Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About The Probate Process

  • October 5, 2021
  • Less than a minute
Transferring property to heirs "inter vivos" offers emotional benefits and potential probate fee reduction, but can trigger an immediate capital gains tax liability and means a loss of control and potential exposure to your heir's creditors. 
Generated Content Property Pitfalls

Gifting Property to Your Heirs “Inter Vivos”: Pros and Cons

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”

Absence of a clear and well-structured will often leads to protracted and costly legal disputes, straining relationships. Take steps, now, to ensure your will is "contest-proof"...
Curated Content Related Resources

Eliminating Ambiguity: Steps to Ensure Your Will is “Contest-Proof”

Uncover the impact of life's big moments on estate planning. From saying "I do" to gracefully ageing, learn why updating your Will is a must. Get valuable insights into how these events shape your estate planning decisions and tips for navigating them smoothly. 
Curated Content Life Events

Five Major Life Events That Affect Your Estate Planning 

A living will is an important part of advance care planning, which involves discussing and preparing for future health care decisions in the event you can’t make them. Learn where to find advance directive forms in your state.
Curated Content Related Resources

Advance Care Planning: Preparing a Living Will

valuable lessons learned from

Communication Breakdowns
& Family Disputes

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
estate planning horror stories? money going to the wrong person, incorrect people settling the estate... why you should ask more questions!
Communication Breakdowns Curated Content

“What If” Scenarios: Why You Should Ask More Questions

  • September 2, 2024
  • 1 minute read
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

  • July 24, 2025
  • 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
When a beneficiary refuses to cooperate during estate administration, it can delay the entire process and create significant problems for everyone involved.
Communication Breakdowns Curated Content

Uncooperative Beneficiaries: Impact on Estate Administration

  • January 22, 2026
  • 1 minute read
The Biggest Mistakes People Make in Their Wills | Common Mistakes | Cautionary Tales | Inheritance Horror Stories | Estates Gone Wrong
Common Mistakes Curated Content

The Biggest Mistakes People Make in Their Wills

  • March 8, 2022
  • 1 minute read
Welcome to "Let’s Talk Family Enterprise", a podcast that explores the ideas, concepts, and models that best serve Family Enterprise Advisors in supporting their clients.
Common Mistakes Curated Content

Family Enterprise Canada Podcast: “Don’t Leave a Mess!”

  • December 19, 2024
  • 1 minute read
Little Big League | American Family Sports Film | 1994 | A 12-year-old boy is bequeathed the ownership of a professional baseball team in his late Grandfather's will.
Bizarre Bequests Dramatized Content

Little Big League | American Family Sports Film | 1994

  • June 29, 1994
  • Less than a minute
Estate Planning: 6 Big Mistakes You Might Be Making | Curated Content | Common Mistakes | Estates Gone Wrong
Common Mistakes Curated Content

Estate Planning: 6 Big Mistakes You Might Be Making

  • February 23, 2023
  • Less than a minute
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

  • March 21, 2023
  • 1 minute read
Dramatized Content Family Disputes

The Inheritance | Limited Television Series | 2023

  • September 4, 2023
  • 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
Key Estate Planning Lessons from Classic Sitcoms & Their Family Dynamics
Common Mistakes Curated Content

Estate Planning Lessons from Classic Sitcoms & Their Family Dynamics

  • June 5, 2023
  • 1 minute read
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
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 & Mirror Wills

  • January 31, 2025
  • 1 minute read
Executor —the deceased's son— transferred estate properties to himself and his brother without fair market value compensation. His conduct was deemed a significant conflict of interest: favouring certain beneficiaries over others.
Curated Content Family Disputes

Court Removes Deceased’s Son as Estate Executor for “Self-Dealing”

  • August 6, 2024
  • Less than a minute
guardian safeguards + eldercare nightmares

The Importance of Planning for
Custody & Long-Term Care

Many Americans will need long-term care (LTC) at some point, but not everyone may understand what it really involves. These statistics illustrate the importance of long-term care and planning...
Curated Content Long-Term Care Crisis

Long-Term Care Statistics 2025: The Importance of Planning

  • August 7, 2025
  • 2 minutes read
It’s vital for every adult in Ontario to get their head around the fundamental distinction between a Power of Attorney and a Guardianship. These aren’t just two names for the same thing...
Curated Content Guardian Safeguards

Power of Attorney vs Guardianship in Ontario: The Critical Difference

  • February 4, 2026
  • 1 minute read
What Are the Consequences of Not Planning for Long-Term Care? | Curated Content | Elder Care Nightmares | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Long-Term Care Crisis

The Consequences of Not Planning for Long-Term Care

  • January 22, 2024
  • 1 minute read
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Helpful Tips + Reference Guides

Related Resources

Creating an estate plan can protect your family’s finances. Learn why it is important for young families to get an early start on estate planning.
Curated Content Related Resources

Don’t Wait: Estate Planning for Young Families

  • June 20, 2025
  • 1 minute read
Read More
Navigating the complex web of estate planning for Canadians with foreign ties requires a deep understanding of both domestic and international tax laws. That is why involvement of legal experts from the relevant foreign jurisdictions is often necessary and strongly recommended.
Curated Content Related Resources

The Complexities of International Estate Planning for Canadians

  • May 30, 2024
  • Less than a minute
Read More
As an executor, it is important to be aware that simply being in a position where your interests appear to conflict with those of the beneficiaries may be enough for a court to remove you as an executor.
Curated Content Related Resources

Examples of Executor-Beneficiary Conflict of Interest

  • September 8, 2025
  • 1 minute read
Read More
It is crucial for individuals to fully understand the significant implications and constraints of mutual wills before committing to them.
Curated Content Related Resources

Mutual Wills: Know The Risks Before You Commit!

  • October 2, 2025
  • 1 minute read
Read More
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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

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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

Tori Spelling, daughter of TV producer Aaron Spelling, received an inheritance of $800,000 from his $500 million estate, not the substantial sum some might have expected. 
Celebrity Estates Generated Content

Aaron Spelling: Reasons Behind the ‘Unequal’ Estate Distribution?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This full length in-depth documentary explores how some of history's wealthiest families were torn apart when their own children turned against the empires their ancestors built.
Curated Content Infamous Feuds

Wealthy Families Betrayed By Their Own Children: Documentary

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?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

real repercussions of inheriting real estate

Property Pitfalls

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
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
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
Millions of US boomers are refusing to give their $84 trillion in real estate, wealth away to their adult kids — here’s why and what it means for the US economy
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

US Boomers Reassessing Priorities: Impact on Future Homeownership

  • February 12, 2025
  • 2 minutes 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
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
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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

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

50
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