In Ontario, the absence of a valid will can lead to complexities, uncertainties, and outcomes that may not align with your wishes.
Curated Content Frequently Asked Questions

What Happens if You Die without a Will in Ontario?

  • January 17, 2025
  • 1 minute read
This podcast episode —"Probate and Inherited Mineral Rights: Requirements and Alternatives"— explores the often-confusing process of transferring mineral rights when someone passes away.
Curated Content Related Resources

Unique Legacy Assets: Transferring & Inheriting Mineral Rights

  • December 4, 2025
  • 1 minute read
Neutral Ground in Family Storms: How the appointment of a professional estate executor can help families navigate turbulent waters.
Curated Content Related Resources

Reasons for Appointing a Neutral Professional in The Role of Executor

  • September 12, 2025
  • 1 minute read
Leaving Money to Charity so You Don’t Spoil the Kids? | Charitable Bequests | Wealth Management | High Net Worth | Estates Gone Wrong
Charitable Misgivings Curated Content

Leaving Money to Charity so You Don’t Spoil the Kids?

  • March 16, 2023
  • 1 minute read
A trust is a legal agreement between the person creating the trust, known as the settlor, and a trustee. The trustee is responsible for managing the trust's assets and distributing them according to the settlor's wishes.
Curated Content Legacy Lexicon

Understanding Trusts: Estate Planning in Ontario

  • February 14, 2023
  • 1 minute read
Understanding Probate in Canada: Everything You Need to Know | Probate is a crucial process in the Canadian legal system that ensures the deceased person’s estate is distributed according to their wishes.
Curated Content Legacy Lexicon

Understanding Probate in Canada: Everything You Need to Know

  • January 21, 2024
  • 1 minute read
Revocable living trusts are just one part of the estate planning toolkit. Explore how they work, where they may add value, and what to consider if you're evaluating whether this strategy fits into your broader plan.
Curated Content Related Resources

When to Support Your Estate Plan with a Revocable Living Trust

Can Your Subscription Service Limit Your Estate’s Ability to Sue? | Digital Distress | Streaming Subscription Agreement | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Digital Distress

Warning: Read “Subscriber Agreements” Very Carefully

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?

In the glittering world of high fashion, few names shine as brightly as Gucci. But behind the glamorous facade lies a tale of family betrayal, mismanagement, and a spectacular succession failure that nearly destroyed one of the world's most iconic luxury brands.
Curated Content Succession Lessons

Family Business Succession Lessons from The House of Gucci

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

valuable lessons learned from

Communication Breakdowns
& Family Disputes

An Oregon woman —who "could not be contacted about the money despite numerous attempts to reach her"— died homeless, unaware she was entitled to over $800,000 in inheritance.
Communication Breakdowns Curated Content

Woman Dies Homeless Unaware of $800k Inheritance

  • June 4, 2021
  • 1 minute read
What to Do when the Executor Is Not Communicating with Beneficiaries? | Curated Content | Communication Breakdowns | Estates Gone Wrong
Communication Breakdowns Generated Content

Effective Estate Planning Hinges on Open Communication

  • June 17, 2025
  • 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
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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
The Pitfalls of Joint Ownership: Know the Risks
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

The Pitfalls of Joint Ownership: Know the Risks

  • May 22, 2025
  • 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
Communicating Your Estate Plan is Vital | Communication Breakdowns | Wills and Powers of Attorney | Estate Planning | Estates Gone Wrong
Communication Breakdowns Curated Content

Communicating Your Plans: a Vital Part of Estate Planning

  • February 24, 2023
  • 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
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

  • August 21, 2025
  • 1 minute read
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

  • August 14, 2025
  • 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
Does the Court Have Jurisdiction to Terminate a Charitable Trust? The answer to the question is Yes. But the jurisdiction must be exercised sparingly and not indiscriminately.
Charitable Misgivings Curated Content

Does the Court Have Jurisdiction to Terminate a Charitable Trust?

  • February 14, 2024
  • 1 minute read
Leaving Money to Charity so You Don’t Spoil the Kids? | Charitable Bequests | Wealth Management | High Net Worth | Estates Gone Wrong
Charitable Misgivings Curated Content

Leaving Money to Charity so You Don’t Spoil the Kids?

  • March 16, 2023
  • 1 minute read
The UK is tackling its long-term care crisis through increased funding, leveraging technology, strengthening the social care workforce, and supporting informal carers.
Generated Content Long-Term Care Crisis

How is the UK Tackling its Long-Term Care Crisis?

  • September 22, 2025
  • 2 minutes read
Signs and Symptoms of Caregiver Stress and Burnout
Curated Content Guardian Safeguards

Signs and Symptoms of Caregiver Stress and Burnout

  • January 16, 2025
  • 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

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
After a selfish L.A. yuppie learns his estranged father left a fortune to an autistic-savant brother in Ohio that he didn't know existed, he absconds with his brother and sets out across the country, hoping to gain a larger inheritance.
Dramatized Content Guardian Safeguards

Rain Man | American Comedy-Drama Film | 1988

  • December 16, 1988
  • 1 minute read
Many Americans will need long-term care (LTC) at some point, but not everyone may understand what it really involves. These statistics illustrate the importance of long-term care and planning...
Curated Content Long-Term Care Crisis

Long-Term Care Statistics 2025: The Importance of Planning

  • August 7, 2025
  • 2 minutes read
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Helpful Tips + Reference Guides

Related Resources

The GTA offers a wealth of resources to support your estate planning efforts. From legal professionals to financial advisors, you can access a network of experts to guide you through the process.
Curated Content Related Resources

The Essential Guide to Estate Planning for Families in the GTA

  • January 2, 2025
  • 1 minute read
Read More
Comprehensive estate planning can help you achieve your future financial goals, and your executor will thank you. Hello, I’m Leanne Kaufman, and welcome to RBC Wealth Management Canada’s Matters Beyond Wealth podcast...
Curated Content Related Resources

Matters Beyond Wealth Podcast: Estate & Legacy Planning are Vital

  • February 11, 2025
  • Less than a minute
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Your Living Will: a Crucial Component of a Complete Estate Plan
Curated Content Related Resources

Living Will: a Crucial Component of a Complete Estate Plan

  • May 28, 2024
  • 1 minute read
Read More
If you have financial ties in multiple countries, your U.S. estate plan may not be enough. This article —How Living Abroad Can Complicate Your Estate Plan— covers five ways international ties can complicate your best-laid plans...
Curated Content Related Resources

Five Ways International Ties Can Complicate Your Estate Plan

  • November 14, 2025
  • Less than a minute
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Recent Posts

Careers, families, and assets no longer fit neatly within a single jurisdiction... As lives become increasingly global, estate planning must reflect that reality.
April 17, 2026

Cross-Border Estate Planning Lessons from a Destination Wedding

When someone manipulates a vulnerable person into changing their estate plan, affected family members may challenge the documents based on undue influence.
April 15, 2026

Undue Influence: Proving Someone Manipulated an Estate Plan

Estate theft is a serious allegation that can have lasting consequences. Whether you’re pursuing a claim or defending against one, taking the right legal steps is critical in safeguarding the interests of the estate as well as your own.  
April 14, 2026

What to Do if You Suspect —or Have Been Accused of— Estate Theft

This episode of Financial Decoder explores inheritance from both perspectives: the person planning to pass on wealth and the heir receiving it.
April 13, 2026

Financial Decoder Podcast Examines “Both Sides of an Inheritance”

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Infamous Feuds + Celebrity Estates

Cautionary Tales

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

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

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”

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 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

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

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

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

Glastonbury Founder Could Avoid £80m in Inheritance Tax

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

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

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 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

Actress Diane Keaton left behind not just a remarkable legacy but an important reminder about estate planning for our pets.
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Pet Trusts: What We Can Learn from Diane Keaton’s Estate

The Barclay family feud started with accusations of privacy breach at the family-owned Ritz hotel. Open discussions about succession, good structuring and mediation could help a family business avoid going the same way as the Barclay's.
Curated Content Infamous Feuds

Rise and Fall of an Empire: The Barclay Family Feud

The name John Seward Johnson probably means very little to you, but you’ve certainly know the company that Johnson’s father co-founded. That’s right – Johnson & Johnson, the maker of baby products we’ve all used for generations.
Curated Content Infamous Feuds

Disinherited Children: Battle Over The Johnson & Johnson 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

These heiresses —Evalyn Walsh McLean, Catherine Tylney-Long, Christina Onassis, Barbara Hutton, and Barbara Baekland— learned that some prices are too high to pay, even when you can afford anything money can buy.
Curated Content Infamous Feuds

The Cursed Fortunes That Destroyed Their Heiresses

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

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

real repercussions of inheriting real estate

Property Pitfalls

Trying to figure out the best way to pass your home to your children? Making the right choice between a gift or trust can save your family money and headaches in the long run.
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

Gift or Trust? The ‘Correct Way’ to Pass Your Home to Your Children

  • January 17, 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
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
Millions of US boomers are refusing to give their $84 trillion in real estate, wealth away to their adult kids — here’s why and what it means for the US economy
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

US Boomers Reassessing Priorities: Impact on Future Homeownership

  • February 12, 2025
  • 2 minutes 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
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
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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

54
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

42
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

50
Fights Over Estates Can Tear Families Apart | Curated Content | Family Disputes | Inheritance Horror Stories | Estates Gone Wrong

Family Disputes

61
Abusive Guardianships: Prevention & Taking Action

Guardian Safeguards

34
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

46
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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.

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