Discussing your estate plan with difficult family members can feel daunting, but with patience, empathy, and a dash of humor, you can navigate the conversation effectively. By approaching it with kindness and understanding, you can ensure your wishes are clearly communicated and respected, keeping the family harmony intact—even if it means cracking a joke or two along the way.
Curated Content Guardian Safeguards

How to Talk to Your Family about Your Fiduciary Choices

  • May 27, 2024
  • 1 minute read
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

  • July 20, 2021
  • 1 minute 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
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
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

  • January 16, 2025
  • 2 minutes read
Long-Term Care Statistics: Make Informed Decisions | Elder Care | Health Care Costs | Statistics | Retirement Planning | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Long-Term Care Crisis

Long-Term Care Statistics: Make Informed Decisions

  • July 25, 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?

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?
Curated Content Related Resources

Navigating Dual-Residency: Canada’s Tax Treaty Tie-Breakers

Just about anything that a client says to their lawyer is protected by solicitor-client privilege. This is a cornerstone of our legal system and a fundamental right in Canada. In practice, however, exceptions to privilege are commonplace when the client is deceased.
Curated Content Frequently Asked Questions

How Privileged are Estate Planning Discussions with Your Lawyer?

Your spouse has been diagnosed with a distressing illness that may be terminal. What can you do to help your children cope as well as possible, so you all move on as healthy, strong, and resilient as possible?
Curated Content Related Resources

Critical Diagnosis in The Family: Helping Children Cope

While both succession planning and estate planning involve planning for the future, they are distinct processes with different objectives. Succession planning is about the future of the business, while estate planning is about the future of the individual and their assets.
Generated Content Succession Lessons

Preparing for the Future: Succession vs Estate Planning

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
The Costs & Consequences of 'Scorched Earth' Litigation
Curated Content Family Disputes

The Costs & Consequences of ‘Scorched Earth’ Litigation

  • November 29, 2023
  • 1 minute read
Curated Content Family Disputes

Litigation Over Lost Will Depletes ‘Very Modest’ Estate

  • August 30, 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
Recent court ruling underscores a fundamental lesson for charities involved in property or trust matters: clear, formal documentation is essential. Without a properly executed declaration of trust, even well-intentioned trust arrangements can fall short in court.
Charitable Misgivings Curated Content

The Case of The Property Trust: a Cautionary Tale for Charities

  • March 27, 2025
  • 1 minute read
Estate planning has traditionally focused on tangible assets like real estate, bank accounts, and personal belongings. However, in a world increasingly reliant on technology, digital assets deserve the same level of attention.
Curated Content Digital Distress

Why Your Digital Assets Matter in Estate Planning

  • February 27, 2025
  • 1 minute read
When a parent leaves an inheritance as a legacy for their children, the intent is always to secure their future. Statistics tell us that 1-in-3 heirs end up blowing all the money, rather than stewarding it well.
Common Mistakes Curated Content

How One Woman Almost Lost a $4M Inheritance

  • January 31, 2025
  • 1 minute read
Just because the law allows for a testator to hand-write their own will does not make it a good idea, as a recent court decision shows. Even a harmonious family is likely to end up in court, seeking confirmation that the handwritten document was indeed a valid Holograph Will. 
Common Mistakes Curated Content

Handwritten Will Declared Invalid by Ontario Judge

  • March 30, 2023
  • 2 minutes read
Assuming testamentary capacity, more frequent reviews of all estate planning documents should be undertaken later in life, not only to remind will makers of the provisions in their wills, but to help prevent unintended outcomes.
Curated Content Long-Term Care Crisis

Canadians are Living Longer: Estate Planning Considerations

  • January 23, 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
No Will? No Estate Plan? You Are Not Alone!
Common Mistakes Curated Content

No Will? No Estate Plan? You Are Not Alone!

  • February 19, 2025
  • 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
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

  • August 27, 2025
  • 1 minute read
UK docuseries "Inheritance Wars" features gripping and shocking true stories of families dragged through the courts by grief and greed...
Dramatized Content Family Disputes

Inheritance Wars | UK Documentary Series | 2023

  • September 17, 2023
  • 1 minute read
Every inherited commercial property with tenants comes with lease obligations that transfer with the building, not with the person. The estate steps into the landlord role immediately.
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

Inherited Commercial Property with Tenants: Guide for Heirs & Executors

  • April 21, 2026
  • 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
guardian safeguards + eldercare nightmares

The Importance of Planning for
Custody & Long-Term Care

It’s never too early to start talking with your family members to ensure everyone is on the same page when a care crisis occurs. Specifically, talk to your parents about their intentions for the future when they’re still capable of managing their affairs.
Curated Content Long-Term Care Crisis

Planning Care for Aging Parents: Five Key Steps

  • July 10, 2025
  • 1 minute read
If you’ve unexpectedly taken over legal guardianship of a minor or disabled person, you may be scrambling to figure out what your next steps should be...
Curated Content Guardian Safeguards

What to Do When You Unexpectedly Become a Guardian

  • November 21, 2020
  • 1 minute read
Pets & Estate Planning: More Complex Than You Might Think
Curated Content Guardian Safeguards

Pets & Estate Planning: More Complex Than You Might Think

  • November 10, 2024
  • 1 minute read
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Helpful Tips + Reference Guides

Related Resources

Learn more about the process of claiming class action settlements for a deceased person's estate, including qualification, documentation, and distribution among heirs.
Curated Content Related Resources

Claiming Class Action Settlement Funds on Behalf of Deceased

  • January 24, 2026
  • 1 minute read
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If you have minor children, not having a Will in Quebec is not just unfortunate— it's a failure of planning: a recurring and avoidable mess.
Curated Content Related Resources

Québec: Why You Need a Will to Protect Your Minor Children

  • March 12, 2026
  • 1 minute read
Read More
Trusts let you control how and when your assets are passed on. The stipulations you outline in the trust can help your beneficiaries use it wisely.
Curated Content Related Resources

Comprehensive Guide to the Many Different Types of Trusts

  • August 1, 2025
  • 1 minute read
Read More
A spousal trust can be very beneficial for your family’s financial future. But the execution of such a trust requires careful consideration and planning as trustees must balance the current needs of the surviving spouse with the future inheritance of the heirs.
Curated Content Related Resources

Spousal Trusts: Selecting the Right Trustee

  • October 6, 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

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

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

The Menendez Estate: What Happened to the Money?

If Hendrix had even done a simple will that properly spelled out his wishes, a large amount of the litigation would have been avoided and it would have ensured that his wishes were followed.
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

The Estate of Jimi Hendrix: Decades of Drama & Costly Litigation

Disney is one of the biggest media companies in the world, with an estimated net worth of nearly $130 billion. From a family-trust-fund feud to generous philanthropic endeavors, here's a look at the three generations of the Disney family.
Curated Content Infamous Feuds

Disney Family Feud as Heirs Battle for $400 Million Trust Fund

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?

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

This dramatic feud over inheriting a family-owned winery drove a wedge between four siblings and led to a landmark penalty over the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in court. 
Curated Content Infamous Feuds

Feud Over Family-Owned 80-Acre Winery Turns Sour

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

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

The Legacy of Bob Ross: Lessons in Succession Planning

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tori Spelling, daughter of TV producer Aaron Spelling, received an inheritance of $800,000 from his $500 million estate, not the substantial sum some might have expected. 
Celebrity Estates Generated Content

Aaron Spelling: Reasons Behind the ‘Unequal’ Estate Distribution?

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

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

Celebrity Estates Curated Content

What We Can Learn From Celebrity Estate Planning Gone Wrong

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

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

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

Agreement Reached in Dispute over Charley Pride’s Will

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

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 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

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

real repercussions of inheriting real estate

Property Pitfalls

Many Canadians dream of buying a property by the sea in Florida or a golf course in Arizona. But what happens at the time of death? Buying a property in the United States takes planning...
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

Canadian Will & U.S. Property: Avoiding Probate Takes Planning

  • February 10, 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
The right planning can ensure you pass down your home without your kids facing large tax liabilities. Here's a simple guide to how it works...
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

How to Leave Property to Your Kids Tax-Free

  • September 10, 2025
  • Less than a minute
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
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
Transferring Property Title to a Trustee: Step-by-Step Guide
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

Transferring Property Title to a Trustee: Step-by-Step Guide

  • September 13, 2024
  • 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

52
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