Estate Planning Can Be Difficult: Surprises Complicate Things Further | Curated Content | Communication Breakdowns | Estates Gone Wrong
Communication Breakdowns Curated Content

Estate Planning is Difficult: Don’t Complicate it With Surprises

  • September 22, 2024
  • 1 minute read
Curated Content Family Disputes

Why Families Fight Over Inheritance and How to Avoid it

  • May 17, 2022
  • 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
The Menendez Estate: Who Got the Money?
Curated Content Infamous Feuds

The Menendez Estate: What Happened to the Money?

  • February 12, 2025
  • 1 minute read
Don’t Wait to Communicate Your Estate Plan | Three Reasons | Curated Content | Communication Breakdowns | Estates Gone Wrong
Communication Breakdowns Curated Content

The Importance of Communicating Your Estate Plan: 3 Big Reasons

  • July 8, 2024
  • Less than a minute
Estate law remains deeply jurisdiction-specific. How the law will recognize family relationships can easily differ across provincial lines. If you intend for someone to benefit from your estate, that intention must be expressed clearly.
Curated Content Legacy Lexicon

Jurisdiction Matters: What Makes You a ‘Child’ in an Estate?

  • March 13, 2026
  • 3 minutes read
This article outlines the key estate planning laws you need to know in BC, including requirements for wills, powers of attorney, representation agreements, and probate procedures.
Curated Content Related Resources

Estate Planning Laws in BC: Legal Guidelines & Requirements

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

Removing an Estate Trustee: How Bad is Bad Enough? | Family Disputes | Court Rulings | Ontario | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Family Disputes

Removing an Estate Trustee: How Bad is Bad Enough?

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”

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

valuable lessons learned from

Communication Breakdowns
& Family Disputes

Removing an Estate Trustee: How Bad is Bad Enough? | Family Disputes | Court Rulings | Ontario | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Family Disputes

Removing an Estate Trustee: How Bad is Bad Enough?

  • April 10, 2024
  • Less than a minute
Did you know that in 2022 the Bank of Canada (BoC) and a few large provinces had unclaimed bank accounts and estates totaling $1.8 billion dollars? That number keeps growing, despite the government’s best efforts to find the owners.
Communication Breakdowns Curated Content

Hidden Wealth: Unclaimed Assets & Accounts in Canada

  • March 2, 2025
  • Less than a minute
Curated Content Family Disputes

Court Rules in Favour of Common-Law Spouse: Intestate Case

  • May 28, 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
Being an executor is an important job and frankly, some people are going to be better at it than others. Avoid making a big mistake by heeding this advice from Patrick O’Brien, CEO and co-founder of Executor.org
Common Mistakes Curated Content

Warning Signs That You’re Choosing The Wrong Executor

  • October 3, 2025
  • 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
The Finality of Probate: Limits on Subsequent Proceedings
Curated Content Family Disputes

The Finality of Probate: Limits on Subsequent Proceedings

  • April 29, 2025
  • 1 minute read
Estate Disputes: Limitation Periods You Need to Know About
Curated Content Family Disputes

Estate Disputes: Limitation Periods You Need to Know About

  • February 25, 2025
  • 1 minute read
Estate Planning Lessons from the Complex World of ‘Better Call Saul’
Common Mistakes Curated Content

Estate Planning Lessons from the Complex World of ‘Better Call Saul’

  • January 15, 2024
  • 1 minute read
Groundbreaking Estate Decisions in 2024 & 2025
Curated Content Family Disputes

Groundbreaking Estate Litigation Decisions

  • April 23, 2025
  • 3 minutes read
Don't Wait until it's Too Late: Communicate Your Plans with Your Family
Communication Breakdowns Curated Content

Don’t Wait: Communicate Your Plans with Your Family

  • February 10, 2025
  • Less than a minute
America's Elder Care Crisis is Here— And We're Not Ready | Long-Term Care | Elder Care | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Long-Term Care Crisis

America’s Elder Care Crisis is Here & We’re Not Ready

  • December 15, 2023
  • 1 minute read
McWills? Yes! Will Written on a McDonald’s Napkin May be Enforceable | Curated Content | Strange Bequests | Estates Gone Wrong
Bizarre Bequests Curated Content

McWills? Handwritten Will on McDonald’s Napkin Ruled Enforceable

  • January 7, 2022
  • 1 minute read
Consideration of digital assets is now a necessary part of a complete estate plan. This is a rapidly evolving area of the law, and one that is increasing in importance each year. On the bright side, it presents an excellent reason to think about the things that mean the most in your life...
Curated Content Digital Distress

Navigating the Digital Afterlife: Your Online Legacy

  • September 26, 2023
  • 2 minutes read
As you navigate your necessary estate planning decisions, here are a few crucial mistakes plenty of people make, but that you'll want to avoid.
Common Mistakes Curated Content

Safeguard Your Legacy: Don’t Make These Costly Mistakes!

  • May 15, 2025
  • Less than a minute
Navigating Inheritance Disputes Between Siblings | Curated Content | Family Disputes | Ontario Law | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Family Disputes

Navigating Inheritance Disputes Between Siblings

  • March 18, 2023
  • 1 minute read
guardian safeguards + eldercare nightmares

The Importance of Planning for
Custody & Long-Term Care

In Ontario, long-term care homes must follow a law called the Fixing Long‑Term Care Act, 2021, which includes a Residents’ Bill of Rights. This resource explains these rights in language that’s easy to understand.
Curated Content Long-Term Care Crisis

Ontario Long-Term Care Home Residents: Know Your Rights!

  • February 18, 2025
  • 1 minute read
In What Circumstances Can an Attorney for Personal Care Restrict Visitors from Visiting an Incapacitated Person in a Long-Term Care Home?
Curated Content Long-Term Care Crisis

Can a Power of Attorney for Personal Care Restrict Visits?

  • September 23, 2025
  • 2 minutes read
Abusive Guardianships: Prevention & Taking Action
Curated Content Guardian Safeguards

Abusive Guardianships: Prevention & Taking Action

  • September 19, 2023
  • 1 minute read
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Helpful Tips + Reference Guides

Related Resources

You only have so many hours in the day, days in a week, or patience in being pulled in different directions. Being proactive may seem like extra work now, but it will pay dividends— plan ahead, and the journey will be much smoother.
Curated Content Related Resources

Balancing End-of-Life Planning for Your Aging Parents and for Yourself

  • September 5, 2025
  • 1 minute read
Read More
While informal verbal agreements may seem convenient and cost-effective at the time they are made, they all-too-frequently lead to disputes down the road.
Curated Content Related Resources

Informal Verbal Agreements Frequently Lead to Estate Disputes

  • January 21, 2026
  • 1 minute read
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Four points to keep in mind when telling others you are choosing MAID: (1) Don't do it alone, (2) Set the stage, (3) Don't sugarcoat the core message, and (4) Don't leave it too late
Curated Content Related Resources

Choosing MAID: How Do You Tell Your Loved Ones?

  • August 15, 2025
  • 1 minute read
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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
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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

The infamous inheritance battle for Koch Industries involved the four sons of Fred Koch — William, Frederick, Charles, and David — who feuded for nearly two decades over the control and ownership of the family company. 
Generated Content Infamous Feuds

Infamous 20-Year-Long Inheritance Battle: Koch Industries

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

Celebrity Estates Curated Content

What We Can Learn From Celebrity Estate Planning Gone Wrong

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

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

Suit claimed Dudesy podcast violated Carlin’s copyright, calling it ‘a casual theft of a great American artist’s work’... The lawsuit was one of the first in the US to focus on the legality of deepfakes imitating a celebrity’s likeness.
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

George Carlin’s Estate Settles Lawsuit Over “AI Doppelganger”

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

The Will of Marlon Brando: A Lesson in Estate Planning | Inheritance Disputes | Celebrity Estates | Court Battles | Estates Gone Wrong
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

The Will of Marlon Brando: A Lesson in Estate Planning

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

The ongoing legal dispute within the Rothschild family over a stunning collection of art captures the intrigue surrounding one of the world’s most powerful families. As the case unfolds, the art world watches closely.
Curated Content Infamous Feuds

Rothschild Family Feud Erupts Over ‘Mini-Louvre’ Art Collection

Daughters of late Hollywood legend Paul Newman filed a lawsuit against the Newman's Own Foundation (NOF), claiming their father's legacy is "under assault" by the "very organization he founded in an effort to preserve and expand that legacy."
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Paul Newman’s Daughters Claim Father’s Legacy is ‘Under Assault’

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

Agreement Reached in Dispute over Charley Pride’s Will

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

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

The Legacy of Bob Ross: Lessons in Succession Planning

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

Barry White’s estate story is a heartbreaking reminder of how simple updates to your estate plan can save your family from unnecessary pain. His estate saga serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of neglecting to update your estate plan after major life changes.
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Keep Your Documents Up-to-Date: Lessons from Barry White’s Estate

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

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

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

Navigating the Evolving Landscape: Val Kilmer’s Digital Legacy
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Navigating the Evolving Landscape: Val Kilmer’s Digital Legacy

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

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

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

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

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

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

real repercussions of inheriting real estate

Property Pitfalls

Can You Avoid Impending Capital Gain on Your Family Cottage?
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

Can You Avoid Impending Capital Gain on Your Family Cottage?

  • June 5, 2025
  • 1 minute read
Probate planning pitfalls: The risks that you need to consider before adding your child to the title of your home for estate planning purposes
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

Adding Your Child to The Title of Your Home: Know The Risks!

  • March 12, 2024
  • 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
Ontario Superior Court Removes Estate Executor to Resolve Deadlock | Property Pitfalls | Family Disputes | Case Ruling | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

Ontario Superior Court Removes Estate Executor to Resolve Deadlock

  • September 3, 2024
  • 1 minute read
Whether you own a cottage, a family home, or any other high-value asset, working with an experienced estate lawyer to craft clear, specific, and regularly updated instructions is not just good practice — it is essential.
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

Why Cottage Estates Are a Breeding Ground for Family Conflict

  • March 22, 2026
  • 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
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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

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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