Comprehensive estate planning requires careful thought and conversation with your spouse or life partner. Before meeting with an estate planning attorney, it is best to discuss your ideas to present a united goal. 
Curated Content Related Resources

Talking to Your Spouse or Partner About Estate Planning

  • November 28, 2023
  • 2 minutes read
If you’re a business owner, your company is likely your most valuable asset. To ensure it survives after you’re gone, you first need a succession plan that will provide a smooth transition of the business. In addition, you need an estate plan that effectively addresses the tax impact of transferring your ownership interests to the next generation.
Curated Content Succession Lessons

Business Succession & Estate Planning Should Be Inseparable

  • September 3, 2024
  • 2 minutes read
Talking about money is never easy, especially when it involves inheritance, and in many wealthy families, conversations about who gets what, when, and why can feel uncomfortable. Learn how to have constructive talks regarding wealth, values, legacy.
Curated Content Related Resources

Family Wealth Conversations: Strategies That Work

  • October 6, 2025
  • 1 minute read
Top 8 Risks: The Dangers of Improper Estate Planning | Common Mistakes | Cautionary Tales | Inheritance Horror Stories | Estates Gone Wrong
Common Mistakes Curated Content

Top 8 Risks: The Dangers of Improper Estate Planning

  • March 19, 2024
  • 1 minute read
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

What We Can Learn From Celebrity Estate Planning Gone Wrong

  • October 16, 2023
  • 1 minute read
While a letter of wishes is not legally binding, it can still serve as a useful tool and an added “personal touch” to an estate plan, offering clarity on decisions, ensuring wishes are understood and guiding those involved in the administration of the estate.
Curated Content Related Resources

The Letter of Wishes: A Personal Touch to Your Estate Plan

  • August 22, 2025
  • 1 minute read
Certain assets are generally excluded from the net family property calculation, provided they were not used for family purposes or did not significantly change in nature during the marriage. The complexity of family law make it essential to seek professional legal advice.
Curated Content Related Resources

Net Family Property (NFP) in Ontario: A Complete Guide

It is important to clearly document and communicate intentions when making either a loan or a gift to a family member. Sometimes we assume a verbal agreement is sufficient but having clear written documentation removes uncertainty and mitigates the risk of disputes arising after the fact.
Curated Content Family Disputes

A Family Feud Unwrapped in Court: Gifts vs Loans

In Canada, most trusts are separate legal entities taxed under strict rules in the Income Tax Act. Proper structuring is essential to reduce tax and avoid reporting issues. Regular reviews with your accountant and estate planning lawyer help prevent surprises.
Curated Content Frequently Asked Questions

Taxation of Trusts in Canada: How Does it Work?

Life-altering events may be unexpected, but that doesn’t mean you can’t plan for them. While no succession plan is foolproof, you can stay on track if you craft your succession plans with the 5 Ds in mind...
Curated Content Succession Lessons

Life is Unpredictable: The “5 Ds” of Succession Planning

Updating Your Beneficiaries is Critical for Your Estate Plan
Curated Content Life Events

Updating Your Beneficiaries is Critical for Your Estate Plan

valuable lessons learned from

Communication Breakdowns
& Family Disputes

What do these Inheritance Horror Stories have in common? Every single one of them could have been prevented with a simple conversation and some thoughtful legal planning. Let’s make sure your story doesn’t become someone else’s cautionary tale...
Curated Content Family Disputes

Legal Planning Lessons from Real-Life Inheritance Horror Stories

  • July 3, 2025
  • 1 minute read
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
Effective communication is a fundamental aspect of administering an estate. Keeping beneficiaries informed about the progress and status of the estate administration is essential to maintaining trust, preventing misunderstandings, and addressing concerns promptly.
Communication Breakdowns Curated Content

The Importance of Communication in Estate Administration

  • July 29, 2024
  • Less than a minute
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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
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 Disability

  • June 25, 2025
  • 2 minutes read
Charities have Fiduciary Duties as Estate Beneficiaries | Charitable Bequests | Administration | Philanthropic Advisor | Estates Gone Wrong
Charitable Misgivings Curated Content

Charities have Fiduciary Duties as Estate Beneficiaries

  • August 29, 2024
  • 1 minute read
Apple Blocks Widow from Honouring Husband's Dying Wish | Digital Distress | Online Accounts | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Digital Distress

Apple Blocks Widow from Honouring Husband’s Dying Wish

  • February 11, 2021
  • 1 minute read
Almost half of all Canadians lack estate plans, leaving financial and medical decisions uncertain: Scotiatrust survey reveals gaps in wills and power of attorney documents, leaving key decisions unmade...
Common Mistakes Curated Content

Scotiatrust Estate Planning Survey Finds Canadians Unprepared

  • February 7, 2025
  • 1 minute read
Six of the Worst Assets to Inherit | Curated Content | Common Mistakes | Cautionary Tales | Inheritance Horror Stories | Estates Gone Wrong
Common Mistakes Curated Content

Six of the Worst Assets to Inherit: More Trouble Than Their Worth?

  • August 16, 2024
  • Less than a minute
Lack of "Money Talk" Will Leave Heirs Unprepared | Common Mistakes | Cautionary Tales | Inheritance Horror Stories | Estates Gone Wrong
Common Mistakes Curated Content

Lack of “Money Talk” Will Leave Heirs Unprepared

  • August 19, 2024
  • 1 minute read
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

  • June 18, 2024
  • Less than a minute
Leona Helmsley’s decision to leave her dog, Trouble, $12 million drew legal challenges, media scrutiny, and lasting debate about her legacy.
Bizarre Bequests Curated Content

Leona Helmsley: The Woman Who Made Her Dog a Millionaire

  • July 19, 2025
  • 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
Estate disputes rarely arise from money alone. They are often triggered by conflicting instructions, unclear drafting, or overlooked provisions. The best protection is clarity, coordination, and regular review.
Common Mistakes Curated Content

Ambiguous Wills: How Fragile an Estate Plan Can Become

  • October 2, 2025
  • 1 minute read
When a Charitable Bequest in a Will Goes Wrong | Curated Content | Charitable Bequests | Estates Gone Wrong
Charitable Misgivings Curated Content

When a Charitable Bequest in a Will Goes Wrong

  • November 1, 2022
  • 1 minute read
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
guardian safeguards + eldercare nightmares

The Importance of Planning for
Custody & Long-Term Care

Guardianship and Conservatorship, while similar, serve different purposes. Understanding these roles is essential for planning for the future of loved ones who may need assistance.
Curated Content Guardian Safeguards

Guardianship and Conservatorship: Understanding the Differences

  • November 5, 2024
  • 1 minute read
Judge Orders Guardianship Firm to Return Thousands to Elderly Woman | Curated Content | Elder Care | Court Rulings | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Long-Term Care Crisis

Judge Orders Guardianship Firm to Return Thousands to Elderly Woman

  • September 5, 2024
  • 1 minute read
Canada Pension Plan Embroiled in Long-Term Care Fiasco | Long-Term Care | Elder Care | Fraud | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Long-Term Care Crisis

Canada Pension Plan Embroiled in Long-Term Care Fiasco

  • October 18, 2024
  • 1 minute read
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Helpful Tips + Reference Guides

Related Resources

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
Canadian Outlook 2025: The Future of Estate Planning
Curated Content Related Resources

Canadian Outlook 2025: The Future of Estate Planning

  • February 19, 2025
  • Less than a minute
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
This comprehensive guide explores what a holographic will is, the legal requirements it must meet, potential drawbacks, and why you probably need a more robust estate planning solution.
Curated Content Related Resources

Resources: a Comprehensive Guide to Holographic Wills

  • July 30, 2024
  • Less than a minute
Read More
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Recent Posts

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...
December 4, 2025

Transferring the Family Home: Considerations for Canadians

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. 
December 2, 2025

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

Major life transitions can cause stress that makes it hard to think clearly, leading to poor financial decisions. A Certified Financial Transitionist can help you manage the financial and emotional aspects of these events.
November 18, 2025

The Financial and Emotional Challenges of Major Life Changes

Staying informed isn’t just good practice. It protects relationships, builds trust, and ensures clients feel safe and supported. Consider bookmarking the BankSafe Dementia Hub as a go-to reference when navigating delicate client situations.
November 17, 2025

Dementia Hub: Fraud Prevention Resources from AARP

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.

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Infamous Feuds + Celebrity Estates

Cautionary Tales

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

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

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

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

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

Agreement Reached in Dispute over Charley Pride’s Will

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

Richard Simmons’ Estate: Family in Legal Battle with Housekeeper

Ten Absolutely Vicious Fights over Inherited Fortunes | Curated Content | Celebrity Estates | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Infamous Feuds

Ten Absolutely Vicious Fights over Inherited Fortunes

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”

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

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

The Menendez Estate: What Happened to the Money?

Bitter family feuds and succession battles are not new to the Canadian business landscape. In fact, some of Canada’s most prominent family-owned firms have had very public brawls...
Curated Content Infamous Feuds

Canada’s History of Family Firm Feuds Rivals “Succession”

The legal dispute between Danny Bennett, the eldest son of Tony Bennett, and his sisters, Antonia and Johanna Bennett, has intensified in court.
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Tony Bennett’s Kids in Legal Battle: Estate & Trust Dispute

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

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

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 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

Thirty paintings created by the bushy-haired, soft-spoken Bob Ross will soon be up for auction to defray the costs of programming for small and rural public television stations suffering under cuts in federal funding.
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Bob Ross Paintings to be Auctioned to Support Public TV Stations

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

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

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

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

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

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

Glastonbury Founder Could Avoid £80m in Inheritance Tax

Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Lessons To Be Learned From Failed Celebrity Estates

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

real repercussions of inheriting real estate

Property Pitfalls

This article will provide a comprehensive overview of capital gains on inherited property in Canada, explain who pays the tax, explore strategies to reduce or avoid it, and answer frequently asked questions to ensure you have a clear understanding of your obligations and options.
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

How to Avoid Paying Capital Gains Tax on Inherited Property in Canada

  • June 24, 2025
  • 1 minute read
While a trust can be an effective way to manage and transfer ownership of the family cottage, it requires careful planning to get it right.
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

Trust Planning for The Family Cottage: Key Considerations

  • September 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
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
How do you approach estate planning if your property is divided between Florida and another country? Don’t assume Florida and Canada have the same laws! Consider putting your Florida property into a Trust...
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

Florida Estate Planning for Canadian Snowbirds

  • December 18, 2024
  • Less than a minute
Property owners who have used joint ownership as an estate planning tool to avoid the cost and delay of probate will need to revisit their plans in light of this decision.
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

Court Ruling Upsets Commonly-held Interpretation of Joint Tenancy

  • December 16, 2024
  • 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

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

Celebrity Estates

46
Family Conflict Results in Long-Term Estate Litigation over Secret Trust and Mutual Wills Agreement | Family Disputes | Estates Gone Wrong

Charitable Misgivings

30
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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