Whilst there are some proposals for reform, the effects of a predatory marriage are wide ranging and very difficult to undo legally. It is therefore the best approach for a concerned family to keep in touch with their relative and to act swiftly where a predatory marriage is suspected...
Curated Content Law Reform

Predatory Marriages: Is Law Reform Coming to the UK?

  • June 16, 2025
  • 2 minutes read
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

  • August 3, 2025
  • Less than a minute
Balancing fairness with religious and cultural customs in estates— The law requires equality between men and women. Following tradition may not stand up in court...
Curated Content Related Resources

Balancing Cultural Tradition and Estate Law in BC

  • March 9, 2023
  • 1 minute read
I had no idea I was due to inherit a substantial sum. Sudden wealth puts you in a cocoon; it makes you feel invincible. I thought I was Superman... I was too young and immature to handle such wealth.
Curated Content Squandered Fortunes

Sudden Unexpected Wealth: How I Blew My Inheritance

  • June 19, 2010
  • 3 minutes read
Even well-intentioned executors can make mistakes that lead to delays, legal issues, or personal liability. Here is a list common pitfalls in estate administration with tips on how to avoid them. By being aware of these, you can proactively take steps to stay on track and out of trouble.
Common Mistakes Curated Content

Common Estate Administration Pitfalls & How to Avoid Them

  • May 21, 2025
  • 1 minute read
Although still commonly used, in Ontario the term "probate" stopped being officially used on April 1, 1995 (no joke…). What is the process to obtain a Certificate of Appointment, with or without a will? This article answers some of the most common questions...
Curated Content Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Certificates of Appointment

  • March 11, 2025
  • 1 minute read
MAID in Canada refers to Medical Assistance in Dying, a legal health service allowing eligible individuals to receive assistance from a medical practitioner to end their life under specific circumstances defined by federal and provincial/territorial law. 
Generated Content Related Resources

MAID Canada: Eligibility Criteria and Legal Safeguards

When we think of Family Business Succession, we tend to picture a smooth handoff. Yet, the reality is usually fraught with disagreements, financial strain, and even emotional burnout. It takes careful planning, open dialogue, and a willingness to adapt to keep a company running across decades.
Curated Content Succession Lessons

The Truth About Family Business Succession: Why Many Fail

This episode of Financial Decoder explores inheritance from both perspectives: the person planning to pass on wealth and the heir receiving it.
Curated Content Related Resources

Financial Decoder Podcast Examines “Both Sides of an Inheritance”

Few legal disputes are as personal and emotional as challenging a will. Whether you are considering contesting a will or defending against a challenge, you should know what to expect...
Curated Content Related Resources

Contesting a Will in Ontario: How it Works & What to Expect

There can be sentimental reasons to keep inherited real estate, but —unless you plan to use the property personally— you should ask yourself: would you buy that real estate with an equivalent amount of cash?
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

Inheriting Real Estate: Ask Yourself “Would You Buy it?”

valuable lessons learned from

Communication Breakdowns
& Family Disputes

Planning to Disinherit a Child? Experts Urge a 'Rethink' | Family Disputes | Inheritance Horror Stories | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Family Disputes

Planning to Disinherit a Child? Experts Urge a ‘Rethink’

  • July 22, 2024
  • 1 minute read
Five Famous Families Undermined by Sibling Conflict | Curated Content | Family Disputes | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Family Disputes

Five Famous Families Undermined by Sibling Conflict

  • June 29, 2022
  • 1 minute read
Dramatized Content Family Disputes

The Inheritance | Limited Television Series | 2023

  • September 4, 2023
  • Less than a minute
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
Canadian professional advisors ought to be cautious when advising U.S. donors.  Although most charitable donations to Canadian charities are likely allowed as a deduction for U.S. tax purposes, it comes with some limitations; notably, the deduction is only applied for Canadian source income and only if the Canadian registered charity meets the U.S. requirements of a qualified charity.
Charitable Misgivings Curated Content

Tax Benefit Limitations: Cross-Border Charitable Donation

  • July 15, 2025
  • 1 minute read
In estate planning, digital accounts such as PayPal, Venmo, and Apple Pay must be considered every bit as much as bank and retirement accounts. Digital accounts can be conveniently closed upon the account holder’s death, provided they plan ahead.
Curated Content Digital Distress

What Happens to Your Virtual Wallets if You Don’t Plan Ahead?

  • June 3, 2025
  • Less than a minute
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
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
Special Needs Adults: Presumption of Capacity & Individual Rights | Can a court make a parenting order for an adult child living with a disability without giving them an opportunity to participate in the proceeding?
Curated Content Family Disputes

Special Needs Adults: Presumption of Capacity & Individual Rights

  • December 12, 2024
  • 1 minute read
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
As AI technology advances, Hollywood faces new challenges regarding posthumous performances. The rights to a deceased actor's likeness depend on state laws, contracts, and estate management, making AI recreations a legal gray area.
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

AI Resurrecting Deceased Actors: Laws Must Keep Pace

  • February 11, 2025
  • Less than a minute
It’s a common misconception that debt disappears when someone dies — but this isn’t usually the case, especially when inheriting a house with debt. While you may not be personally responsible for a decedent’s loans, the debt must still be addressed, or the house risks foreclosure.
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

Inheriting a House with Debt: Understanding Your Options

  • March 11, 2026
  • 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
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

  • August 7, 2019
  • 2 minutes read
The potential artificial intelligence has to automate tasks and reduce costs will revolutionize the way we approach estate planning, making it more efficient and accessible. However, you can’t fully trust an AI bot with your estate plan and here’s why.
Curated Content Digital Distress

AI in Estate Planning: What Every Canadian Needs to Know

  • May 23, 2023
  • 1 minute read
Sibling Rivalry Lands Mother’s Estate in Court | A Cautionary Tale | Family Disputes | Court Battles | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Family Disputes

Sibling Rivalry Lands Mother’s Estate in Court

  • November 28, 2024
  • 1 minute read
guardian safeguards + eldercare nightmares

The Importance of Planning for
Custody & Long-Term Care

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
In Canada, if you want your pet to be cared for when you’re no longer around, you need to include them in your estate plan. Here are five ways to include your pet in your estate plan...
Curated Content Guardian Safeguards

Tips for Canadians: Estate Planning with Your Pets in Mind

  • June 3, 2025
  • 1 minute read
As we grow older and enter retirement, we face many LIFE-CHANGING decisions. We must consider long-term care, financial well-being, and, ultimately, our end-of-life planning. Fortunately, there are legislations in place to protect the rights and interests of older individuals.
Curated Content Long-Term Care Crisis

Elder Care Law: A Comprehensive Guide for Families

  • May 31, 2024
  • 1 minute read
Load More
Helpful Tips + Reference Guides

Related Resources

High legal and ethical standards apply to estate executors and trustees. It is essential to understand your obligations...
Curated Content Related Resources

Estate Executor “Self-Dealing” Assets: Conflict of Interest

  • September 27, 2023
  • 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
Read More
A Cautionary Tale in Will Drafting and Limitation Periods... When Does the Clock Start Ticking?
Curated Content Related Resources

A Cautionary Tale in Will Drafting and Limitation Periods

  • July 28, 2025
  • 2 minutes read
Read More
Managing practical tasks while processing your own emotions creates a unique kind of stress that many executors are unprepared for. This guide offers strategies to help you navigate both journeys with more grace and less overwhelm.
Curated Content Related Resources

Strategies for Executors: Managing Grief While Managing an Estate

  • July 15, 2025
  • 1 minute read
Read More
Load More

Recent Posts

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

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

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

One widely shared social post says putting “everything you own” into a Trust could bypass probate, leaving more funds for your kids when passing on your estate. But that advice is far from universal.
May 12, 2026

Put “Everything in a Trust” to Bypass Probate: Is This Good Advice?

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 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

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

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

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

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

Navigating the Evolving Landscape: Val Kilmer’s Digital Legacy

Inside Billionaire Rupert Murdoch’s Family Trust Battle
Curated Content Infamous Feuds

Inside Billionaire Rupert Murdoch’s Family Trust Battle

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

Richard Simmons’ Estate: Family in Legal Battle with Housekeeper

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

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 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

Few narrative devices expose human venality with the precision of inheritance theft. This collection of ten films rigorously examines the subgenre to explore the psychological and legal intricacies of usurped fortunes.
Dramatized Content Infamous Feuds

Estate Disputes & Inheritance Theft Themes Explored in 10 Films

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

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

Inside The Bitter Family Feuds of America’s Richest Billionaire Clans
Curated Content Infamous Feuds

Inside The Bitter Feuds of America’s Richest Families

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

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

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

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

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?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

real repercussions of inheriting real estate

Property Pitfalls

Strategies For Passing On Property To Your Heirs | Property Pitfalls | Real Estate | Estate Planning | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

Real Estate: Strategies for Passing Property to Your Heirs

  • February 23, 2024
  • 1 minute read
Even Canadians who don’t consider themselves snowbirds may own property south of the border or have other U.S. based assets that could impact their planning.
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

Snowbirds: Is Your Cross-border Property in Your Estate Plan?

  • January 2, 2024
  • 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

  • December 2, 2025
  • 2 minutes 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
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
Are you planning to leave real estate to a loved one under your Will? Do you want that property to be transferred free of debt or other claims? Language matters!
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

Navigating Bequests of Real Estate: Language Matters!

  • August 8, 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

67
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

35
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
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