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
Separated Spouses and Intestacy: Important Changes Coming in 2025 | A significant change in Ontario’s estate law is about to take full effect, impacting separated spouses and their inheritance rights.
Curated Content Life Events

Separated Spouses and Intestacy: Important Changes in 2025

  • January 6, 2025
  • 1 minute read
Inheritance Wars— More Families Fight Over Money | Curated Content | Family Disputes | Probate | Court Battles | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Family Disputes

Family Inheritance Wars “On The Rise” in the UK

  • March 18, 2024
  • 1 minute read
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”

  • November 8, 2021
  • 2 minutes read
Often called executors, personal representatives shoulder the responsibility of managing and distributing a decedent’s estate. Their role is critical, but compensation for this work is frequently misunderstood.
Curated Content Frequently Asked Questions

How are Executors (Personal Representatives) Compensated?

  • June 1, 2025
  • 1 minute read
If you don’t select an executor or trustee for your estate, or if the person you named refuses to act in that role, then someone may apply to the court to be appointed as an administrator of your estate.
Curated Content Frequently Asked Questions

British Columbia: What Happens If You Don’t Appoint an Executor?

  • January 20, 2023
  • 1 minute read
How is Debt is Handled by an Estate in Canada? Your executor is responsible for carrying out the duties of your will and arranging to pay off your debts. They will also close any accounts that you may have. If you don’t want to burden your loved ones with having to deal with your debt, there are steps you can take.
Curated Content Frequently Asked Questions

How is Debt is Handled by an Estate in Canada?

Digital Assets: Ensuring Your Loved Ones Can Access Your Phone | Digital Distress | Online Accounts | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Digital Distress

Digital Assets: Ensuring Your Loved Ones Can Access Your Phone

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

The Finality of Probate: Limits on Subsequent Proceedings
Curated Content Family Disputes

The Finality of Probate: Limits on Subsequent Proceedings

Lawyers Alison and Jillian Barrett, from Maurice Blackburn, tackle problems everyday Aussies face. In this article, they address the following question– posed by a woman who 'isn't happy with her inheritance'.
Charitable Misgivings Curated Content

Mum’s $20k Inheritance Gift to Charity ‘Upsets’ Daughter: Australia

valuable lessons learned from

Communication Breakdowns
& Family Disputes

The Roy family is known for controlling the biggest media and entertainment company in the world. However, their world changes when their father steps down from the company.
Dramatized Content Family Disputes

Succession | Television Series | 2018-2023

  • June 3, 2018
  • 1 minute read
Estate Planning Horror Stories: 5 Nightmare Scenarios that Will Scare You into Action | Curated Content | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Family Disputes

Estate Planning Horror Stories: 5 Nightmare Scenarios

  • March 26, 2021
  • 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
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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
Your death will create emotional, legal, and financial challenges for your loved ones. Explore what NOT TO DO when planning your estate.
Common Mistakes Curated Content

What “NOT TO DO” When Planning Your Estate

  • December 14, 2024
  • Less than a minute
The Digital Assets Gap in Canadian Law | Digital Distress | Obstacles People Face When Trying To Access | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Digital Distress

Digital Assets Gap: Accessing Accounts After Owner Has Passed

  • October 29, 2020
  • 1 minute read
Contentious probate refers to the legal conflicts and disputes that can arise in the process of settling a deceased person’s estate. This guide dives deeper into a probate contest and what is involved with it from a legal standpoint. 
Curated Content Family Disputes

Navigating the Challenges of Contentious Probate: UK

  • March 7, 2024
  • 2 minutes read
Family Philanthropy: Passing Down with Purpose
Charitable Misgivings Curated Content

Family Philanthropy: Passing Down with Purpose

  • February 4, 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
Court rules against woman who sought to have $1.8-million inheritance placed in fully discretionary trust to avoid losing disability benefits...
Curated Content Family Disputes

B.C. Court Rules Against Woman Seeking to Impose Henson Trust

  • February 12, 2025
  • 1 minute read
Legal Considerations & Access Rights for Digital Assets During Probate
Curated Content Digital Distress

Access Rights for Digital Assets During Probate: Canada

  • July 15, 2025
  • 1 minute read
Long-Term Care Expenses Can Destroy Your Estate Plan | Elder Care Costs | Tax Implications | LTC Insurance | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Long-Term Care Crisis

Long-Term Care Expenses Can Destroy Your Estate Plan

  • May 23, 2024
  • 1 minute read
10 Costly Estate Planning Mistakes | Curated Content | Common Mistakes | Cautionary Tales | Inheritance Horror Stories | Estates Gone Wrong
Common Mistakes Curated Content

Top 10: Avoid These Costly Estate Planning Mistakes

  • March 16, 2023
  • Less than a minute
5 Mistakes People Make: The Long-term Care Planning Process | Elder Care | Elder Law | Advanced Care Planning | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Long-Term Care Crisis

5 Mistakes People Make: Long-Term Care Planning

  • May 8, 2023
  • 1 minute read
Landmark Supreme Court of Canada decision, from 1991, established principles for proving undue influence in trust cases: the Geffen v. Goodman family and trust estate dispute...
Family Disputes Generated Content

Landmark Supreme Court of Canada Decision: Undue Influence

  • August 28, 2025
  • 2 minutes 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
guardian safeguards + eldercare nightmares

The Importance of Planning for
Custody & Long-Term Care

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
Being named as a guardian is a significant responsibility, and it is perfectly acceptable to decline if you are unable or unwilling to take on this role. If you're unsure, have an open conversation with the parents to discuss their expectations and your concerns. 
Generated Content Guardian Safeguards

Appointed as Guardian? Yes! You Can Decline This Role

  • June 23, 2025
  • 1 minute read
Our pets are more than animals for many of us. They are beloved family members, providing companionship, joy, and comfort. How can you include your pets in your estate plan? What are your options?
Curated Content Guardian Safeguards

Your Estate Plan: Trusts & Care Provisions for Your Pets

  • December 8, 2023
  • 2 minutes read
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Helpful Tips + Reference Guides

Related Resources

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

  • June 3, 2025
  • 1 minute read
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
Trusts are versatile planning vehicles that can help Canadians protect what they’ve built, plan for the future and support the people and causes they care about – regardless of their net worth.
Curated Content Related Resources

Wealth Preservation: The Role of Trusts in Estate Planning

  • June 23, 2025
  • 1 minute read
Read More
These books offer the most current 2025 insights and can help you stay ahead of the curve in protecting your family and legacy with confidence.
Curated Content Related Resources

7 Future-Forward Estate Planning Books Defining 2025

  • June 27, 2025
  • 1 minute read
Read More
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Recent Posts

Family Business Succession: Entrepreneurs can plan for future generational transitions by implementing a corporation governance framework.
March 10, 2026

Family Business: Planning for Future Generational Transitions

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.
March 8, 2026

Life Events That Should Trigger a Call for Financial Guidance

New Study Finds "Women Are Trusted Most" to Manage Crises and Estates in Canada
March 3, 2026

Critical Life Decisions: Women Trusted Most

A family business succession plan is more than paperwork; it is a systematic roadmap that protects the company’s legacy and the family’s wealth. 
February 25, 2026

Family Business Succession Planning in Canada: 2026

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Infamous Feuds + Celebrity Estates

Cautionary Tales

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

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

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

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

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

The Menendez Estate: What Happened to the Money?

Six Estate Planning Mistakes Celebrities Made | Curated Content | Celebrity Estates | Estates Gone Wrong | A will isn't enough...
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Six Estate Planning Mistakes Celebrities Made

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

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

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

High-profile estate disputes can offer invaluable lessons in effective estate planning. One prominent case is that of oil tycoon J. Howard Marshall II and his brief marriage to Anna Nicole Smith.
Curated Content Infamous Feuds

Estate Planning Lessons from J. Howard Marshall II’s Case

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

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

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

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

Inside The Bitter Feuds of America’s Richest Families

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

Navigating the Evolving Landscape: Val Kilmer’s Digital Legacy

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”

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

Murdoch Family Legal Battle Highlights a Harsh Reality: No Trust is Airtight | Family Disputes | Celebrity Estates | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Infamous Feuds

Murdoch Family Legal Battle: “No Trust is Airtight!”

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

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

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

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 Top 10 Estate Battles Of All Time | Curated Content | Celebrity Estates | Inheritance Horror Stories | Estates Gone Wrong
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Probate Disputes: The Top 10 Estate Battles Of All Time

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

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

After deliberating for almost one hour, jurors found that a handwritten will, discovered under a sofa cushion by Franklin’s niece after the singer’s death, was signed by the music legend in 2014 and does show her intent.
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Jury Reaches Verdict in Battle over Aretha Franklin’s Estate

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

real repercussions of inheriting real estate

Property Pitfalls

Inheriting property can be a complex process, but with proper planning, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Taking proactive steps can prevent disputes and create a clear path for future generations.
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

Inheriting Property: What You Need to Know

  • May 22, 2025
  • 3 minutes 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
What to Do if You Inherit a House with a Mortgage | Curated Content | Property Pitfalls | Real Estate | Inheriting Debt | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

What to Do if You Inherit a House with a Mortgage

  • August 27, 2024
  • 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
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
Home Ownership: Joint Tenants vs Tenants in Common | There are three main ways that a homeowner can own a home, and the way title is held dramatically affects their estate and heirs...
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

Home Ownership: Joint Tenants vs Tenants in Common

  • February 4, 2025
  • 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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