Designating people you trust to fill important roles, including executor and power of attorney, is essential to a successful estate plan. It's also wise to select backups in case your primary selections are unavailable.
Curated Content Related Resources

Designations: Key Roles to Include in Your Estate Plan

  • August 16, 2024
  • 2 minutes read
Learn how to handle an estate dispute under Canadian law. This guide will help you understand the grounds for disputing a will and its effect on the division of assets.
Curated Content Related Resources

Canadian Guide to Understanding the Grounds for Disputing a Will

  • July 22, 2025
  • 1 minute read
Several life events stand out as clear signals that financial guidance should move to the top of the to-do list... Don’t wait until things feel complicated.
Curated Content Life Events

Life Events That Should Trigger a Call for Financial Guidance

  • March 8, 2026
  • 1 minute read
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
It is best to customize a will or trust to your specific situation. Sometimes you want more say in how or when your beneficiaries will acquire and use your assets. For this reason, several clauses are commonly included in wills or trusts...
Curated Content Related Resources

Types of Clauses Commonly Included in Wills or Trusts

  • April 2, 2025
  • 1 minute read
All of our personal losses, such as the death of a loved one, have financial aspects. Survivors are faced with making money decisions and dealing with finances while they are grieving. There is nothing wrong with asking for help.
Curated Content Related Resources

Loss & Transition: Coping with Finances While Coping with Grief

  • June 6, 2022
  • 1 minute read
Having a plan in place will go a long way in providing both partners with peace of mind in the event of a relationship breakup. Explore "10 ways to divorce-proof your assets and protect your wealth"...
Curated Content Life Events

Wealth Preservation: 10 Ways to Divorce-Proof Your Assets

The McCain Foods succession dispute was a bitter, multi-year feud between brothers Harrison and Wallace McCain, co-founders of the french fry giant, that began in the early 1990s. 
Generated Content Succession Lessons

McCain Foods Succession Dispute: Brother vs Brother

From the quirky to the downright bizarre, let's dive into the top 10 strangest inheritance stipulations ever imposed.
Bizarre Bequests Curated Content

Strangest Inheritance Stipulations: Oddball Wills & Eccentric Bequests

An unusual court fight that's been playing out in Pennsylvania for over a year has pitted more than a dozen schools against the family of the late Campbell’s Soup heiress, Dodo Hamilton, who provided more than half of the UArts endowment. Her heirs are now seeking to claw it back.
Charitable Misgivings Curated Content

Campbell’s Soup Heirs vs Colleges: Court Battle Over Endowment

Sometimes, an estate’s debts and liabilities are greater than its assets. In Canada, an insolvent estate can only be assigned into bankruptcy with the court's permission. This is specifically outlined in Section 49(1) of the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (BIA).
Curated Content Related Resources

Assigning an Involvent Estate into Bankruptcy: Canada

valuable lessons learned from

Communication Breakdowns
& Family Disputes

Why Transparency Matters: The Importance Of Open Dialogue | Curated Content | Communication Breakdowns | Estates Gone Wrong
Communication Breakdowns Curated Content

Why Transparency Matters: The Importance Of Open Dialogue

  • September 12, 2024
  • 1 minute read
For families with a loved one receiving disability assistance, an inheritance can have unintended and damaging consequences. A well-intentioned gift can disrupt eligibility for essential government benefits, often outweighing any short-term financial gain.
Curated Content Family Disputes

Cautionary Tale: Estate Planning for a Loved One With a

  • June 25, 2025
  • 2 minutes read
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
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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
It’s rumored that Lagerfeld left a large portion, if not all, of his nearly $300 million fortune to his beloved cat. Though there’s no confirmation on any specific dollar amount, it is understood that her inheritance is well into the millions...
Bizarre Bequests Curated Content

How Karl Lagerfeld’s Beloved Cat Spends Her Inheritance

  • April 9, 2025
  • 1 minute read
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
Dramatized Content Family Disputes

The Inheritance | Limited Television Series | 2023

  • September 4, 2023
  • Less than a minute
Even if AI tools produce legal documents that look valid, the risks are obvious. Can the court step in and fix errors in an AI-generated Will?
Curated Content Digital Distress

Testator Intent: AI Generated Wills Lack “Proof & Context”

  • September 4, 2025
  • 1 minute read
The New Charity Funding Crisis: Aid & Education at Risk
Charitable Misgivings Curated Content

The New Charity Funding Crisis: Aid & Education at Risk

  • February 20, 2025
  • 1 minute read
Bizarre Bequests Curated Content

Furry Heirs: The Rising Trend of Pet Trusts & Bequests

  • October 4, 2024
  • Less than a minute
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
Whether you are a nursing home resident, a family member, or a supportive friend, this guide gives you the tools you need to identify and then resolve the problems that residents most frequently face.
Curated Content Long-Term Care Crisis

25 Common Nursing Home Problems and How to Resolve Them

  • February 24, 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
Avoid Estate Administration Surprises. Performing a title search on your property as part of your estate plan could save your heirs both money and hassle. 
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

Avoid Estate Administration Surprises: Perform a Title Search

  • October 26, 2024
  • 1 minute read
The Impact of Digital Assets on Estate Planning and Litigation | Digital Distress | What Happens to Your Digital Assets | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Digital Distress

The Impact of Digital Assets on Estate Planning and Litigation

  • March 11, 2024
  • 1 minute read
Inheritance disputes are as old as time, but in recent years, there’s been an increase in families embroiled in legal arguments. Here are the various stances on inheritance disputes, 2024 statistics, and the demographics of those discussing the topic online. 
Curated Content Family Disputes

Inheritance Dispute Statistics: 2024 Rising Trends

  • October 18, 2024
  • 1 minute read
guardian safeguards + eldercare nightmares

The Importance of Planning for
Custody & Long-Term Care

Without a plan in place, assets like retirement savings, real estate, or other investments may need to be liquidated to cover the costs. This is why incorporating long-term care strategies into estate planning is essential.
Curated Content Long-Term Care Crisis

Planning for Long-Term Care Costs without Draining Your Estate

  • May 8, 2025
  • 1 minute read
Elder financial abuse can take many forms. According to the "Safe & Savvy" guide —developed to help vulnerable adults, in Australia, avoid scams and fraud— here are 10 of the most common types of financial abuse...
Curated Content Guardian Safeguards

10 Most Common Types of Elder Financial Abuse: Australia

  • December 8, 2025
  • Less than a minute
How to Plan for Incapacity & Guardianship: Canada
Curated Content Guardian Safeguards

How to Plan for Incapacity & Guardianship: Canada

  • August 18, 2023
  • 1 minute read
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Helpful Tips + Reference Guides

Related Resources

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
Read More
When it’s time to do your estate planning – and it’s actually never too soon to begin – you may find the process, at first, to be somewhat bewildering. Using a trust company can make things a lot easier when it’s time to plan and execute your estate.
Curated Content Related Resources

Who Can You Trust to Help Reduce the Stress of Estate Planning?

  • July 6, 2022
  • 1 minute read
Read More
Estate theft is a serious allegation that can have lasting consequences. Whether you’re pursuing a claim or defending against one, taking the right legal steps is critical in safeguarding the interests of the estate as well as your own.  
Curated Content Related Resources

What to Do if You Suspect —or Have Been Accused of— Estate Theft

  • April 14, 2026
  • 1 minute read
Read More
Navigating probate in Canada requires careful planning and attention to provincial laws. Learn how to handle probate in Canada, including costs, processes, and asset exemptions.
Curated Content Related Resources

Your Complete Guide to Navigating Probate in Canada

  • December 3, 2024
  • 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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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

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

Hulk Hogan’s daughter can’t write herself out of the wrestler’s will, but she can refuse to take his money. The questions arising over who will inherit Hulk Hogan’s wealth offer important insights into how family estrangement can affect estate planning.
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Hulk Hogan’s Will: a Lesson in Family Estrangement & Estate Planning

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

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

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

The Legacy of Bob Ross: Lessons in Succession Planning

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

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

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 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

Mercedes Kilmer addresses mixed reactions to her late Father's precedent-setting AI-generated posthumous performance in "As Deep as the Grave"...
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

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

Celebrity Estates Curated Content

What We Can Learn From Celebrity Estate Planning Gone Wrong

Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Lessons To Be Learned From Failed Celebrity Estates

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

AI and Ethics Collide: A proposal to use artificial intelligence to recreate the voice of late actor Robin Williams has reignited a contentious debate around consent, legacy, and the ethical boundaries of generative AI.
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Robin Williams Voice Recreation Proposal Sparks Backlash

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

TV Chef Blew £2.8million Inheritance: Leaves Only £33k to Family
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

TV Chef Blew £2.8million Inheritance: Leaves Only £33k to Family

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

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

Glastonbury Founder Could Avoid £80m in Inheritance Tax

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

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

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

A French court has found eight people guilty of exploiting 92-year-old L'Oreal heiress Liliane Bettencourt, one of the world's richest people. The verdict brings to an end a long-running case that began with a feud between Mrs Bettencourt and daughter.
Curated Content Infamous Feuds

The Exploitation of L’Oreal Heiress Liliane Bettencourt

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

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

real repercussions of inheriting real estate

Property Pitfalls

Have you recently inherited a house that’s completely paid off? Congratulations! But before you start celebrating, it’s essential to understand what comes next. This video will give you a clear picture of what to expect and how to navigate the process.
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

Inheriting a House That’s Paid Off: What You Need to Know!

  • August 12, 2024
  • Less than a minute
Inheriting property can be a blessing, but it may also bring challenges, particularly if disputes arise among heirs or co-owners. Understanding the legal and practical steps to manage these disputes is crucial for protecting your interests and resolving conflicts.
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

Inherited Property Disputes: Common Causes & Steps to Resolve

  • February 19, 2025
  • 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
Avoid Estate Administration Surprises. Performing a title search on your property as part of your estate plan could save your heirs both money and hassle. 
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

Avoid Estate Administration Surprises: Perform a Title Search

  • October 26, 2024
  • 1 minute read
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
Canadian Inheritance Tax on Property: What You Should Know | Property Pitfalls | Real Estate | Capital Gains Tax | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

Canadian Inheritance Tax on Property: What You Should Know

  • February 16, 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

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

63
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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