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
As the legal representative—whether you’re the executor, administrator, or trustee—you are responsible for making sure this process is completed properly. This guide will walk you through, step-by-step, how to prepare the final tax return for someone who was a tax resident of Canada.
Curated Content Tax-Smart Strategies

Filing a Final Tax Return in Canada: a Step-by-Step Guide

  • September 20, 2024
  • 2 minutes read
The U.S. Supreme Court’s Most Important Decision Affecting the Law of Trusts & Estates Was Decided a Very Long Time Ago
Curated Content Law Reform

U.S. Supreme Court Decision Altered Trust & Estate Law

  • October 31, 2010
  • 1 minute read
If you’re like many Canadians, you know you should create an estate plan, but may keep putting it off. This primer will introduce you to terms you should understand so you can prepare for the creation of your estate plan confidently.
Curated Content Legacy Lexicon

Understanding Will and Estate Planning Terms

  • April 3, 2025
  • 1 minute read
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
If you’re considering a family settlement agreement, consulting a probate attorney can ensure the process is handled correctly and fairly. With the right guidance, your family can achieve a resolution that honors the deceased’s wishes while promoting harmony among heirs.
Curated Content Legacy Lexicon

Estate Dispute Resolution: What is a Family Settlement Agreement?

  • November 9, 2024
  • 1 minute read
Frequently Asked Questions: Role & Responsibilities of The Executor
Curated Content Frequently Asked Questions

How Much Time & Effort is Involved in Serving as an Estate Executor?

Being an Estate Executor: Frequently Asked Questions
Curated Content Frequently Asked Questions

Being an Estate Executor: Frequently Asked Questions

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’

If a personal representative wishes to purchase estate assets, it should be with the consent of all beneficiaries or occur at fair market value with the approval of the court.
Curated Content Related Resources

BC Supreme Court Ruling: When “Self-Dealing” May Be Allowed

While contemplating the possibility of incapacity can be uncomfortable, preparing for it with Powers of Attorney and Living Wills is a crucial aspect of responsible planning. By taking these steps, you can ensure your wishes are respected during challenging times.
Curated Content Related Resources

Planning for Incapacity: Powers of Attorney & Living Wills

valuable lessons learned from

Communication Breakdowns
& Family Disputes

Potential pitfalls associated with poor estate planning exposed as a detective investigates the death of the patriarch of a combative family.
Dramatized Content Family Disputes

Knives Out | American Mystery Film | 2019

  • September 7, 2019
  • Less than a minute
Unfortunately, disputes over Wills are on the rise in the UK... This reflects not only changing family structures but also shifting expectations around inheritance.
Curated Content Family Disputes

Family Dynamics & Inheritance: Managing Expectations

  • October 30, 2025
  • Less than a minute
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
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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
5 Estate Planning Lessons From ‘House Of The Dragon’ | Curated Content | Communication Breakdowns | Estates Gone Wrong
Communication Breakdowns Curated Content

5 Estate Planning Lessons From ‘House Of The Dragon’

  • June 16, 2024
  • 1 minute read
Greed and Conflict Among Siblings in Inheritance Matters | Curated Content | Family Disputes | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Family Disputes

Greed & Conflict Among Siblings in Inheritance Matters

  • June 30, 2025
  • 1 minute read
Estate planning is more than just drafting legal documents—it’s about preparing your loved ones for the future. The alternative—keeping plans under wraps—can leave loved ones unprepared...
Communication Breakdowns Curated Content

How Transparency Prevents Conflict in Estate Planning

  • January 1, 2025
  • 1 minute read
Charities named as beneficiaries are generally treated in the same way as an individual, save for tax considerations. They will want to be respectful of the Deceased’s wishes.
Charitable Misgivings Curated Content

Inheritance Disputes Over Charitable Giving: What to Expect

  • September 10, 2024
  • Less than a minute
14 Unexpected Ways a Surprise Inheritance Can Complicate Your Life | Here's how to prepare yourself financially if you get an unexpected inheritance so you avoid costly missteps...
Common Mistakes Curated Content

Surprise! An Inheritance Can Complicate Your Life

  • April 20, 2025
  • Less than a minute
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
Most retirees don’t tell adult children about their inheritance, research shows. Here's what advisors recommend sharing, and when...
Communication Breakdowns Curated Content

Reluctance to Divulge Estate Plans = Bigger Problems Later

  • November 25, 2025
  • Less than a minute
While it can be an uncomfortable conversation to have, many Canadians say estate planning is important, yet nearly half report having never discussed the topic with their financial advisor, according to a new survey.
Common Mistakes Curated Content

Estate Planning Survey Reveals Canadians Are Not Prepared

  • September 15, 2025
  • Less than a minute
Estate Planning Mistakes of the Rich and Famous | Curated Content | Celebrity Estates | Inheritance Horror Stories | Estates Gone Wrong
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Estate Planning Mistakes of the Rich and Famous

  • April 13, 2022
  • Less than a minute
A writer encounters the owner of an aging high-class hotel, who tells him of his early years serving as a lobby boy in the hotel's glorious years under an exceptional concierge.
Common Mistakes Dramatized Content

The Grand Budapest Hotel | Comedy-Drama Film | 2014

  • March 7, 2014
  • 1 minute read
Guardianship Scams: The Stuff of Recurring Nightmares | Ransacking the Wealth and Autonomy of Countless Older Americans | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Guardian Safeguards

Guardianship Scams: The Stuff of Recurring Nightmares

  • February 23, 2021
  • 1 minute read
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

  • June 29, 1994
  • Less than a minute
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
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
On the Lookout: Nursing Home Negligence and Abuse | Long-Term Care | Elder Care | Power of Attorney | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Long-Term Care Crisis

On the Lookout: Nursing Home Negligence and Abuse

  • December 18, 2024
  • 1 minute read
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Helpful Tips + Reference Guides

Related Resources

If a personal representative wishes to purchase estate assets, it should be with the consent of all beneficiaries or occur at fair market value with the approval of the court.
Curated Content Related Resources

BC Supreme Court Ruling: When “Self-Dealing” May Be Allowed

  • August 14, 2023
  • 1 minute read
Read More
A helpful guide for understanding important words and laws about advance care planning in all provinces and territories across Canada.
Curated Content Related Resources

Advance Care Planning Canada: Legal Terminology Resource

  • September 9, 2024
  • Less than a minute
Read More
Comprehensive resource provided by the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC) that offers guidance and information on various aspects of estate planning. Explore the library for expert trust & estate guidance...
Curated Content Related Resources

Comprehensive Estate Planning Video Library: United States

  • June 28, 2025
  • Less than a minute
Read More
7 Best Estate Planning Books for 2023 | It’s never too early to start planning your estate. You can be prepared with these seven books on estate planning.
Curated Content Related Resources

Resources: 7 Best Estate Planning Books for 2023

  • March 22, 2023
  • Less than a minute
Read More
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Recent Posts

Not planning your life around legacy? You're not alone. A growing wave of single and child-free retirees is unapologetically putting their own needs first. Don't forget to protect yourself by planning for the "What Ifs"...
July 17, 2026

No Heirs? Protect Yourself, Before You ‘Blow Your Nest Egg’!

The Court of Appeal recently released a decision dismissing appeals against conviction of a former Toronto police officer who fabricated the last will and testament of Heinz Siegfried Sommerfeld to benefit the police officer.
July 15, 2026

Consequences of ‘Stealing’ an Estate: Ontario Fraudulent Will Case

Estate planning is about making sure the people you love aren’t handed a legal and financial mess on the worst day of their lives. None of these steps are complicated, and most can be started this month. The only truly expensive option is waiting.
July 15, 2026

5 Estate Planning Steps Canadians Delay The Most

Talking with family about estate planning is one of the most loving conversations you can have. Because it’s so important to have these conversations, here are six key things to keep in mind when discussing estate planning with your loved ones...
July 13, 2026

6 Tips to Help You Talk to Your Family About Estate Planning

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Infamous Feuds + Celebrity Estates

Cautionary Tales

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

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

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

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

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

Battles over Marilyn Monroe's estate shed light on the challenges of protecting intellectual property rights posthumously. Disputes emerged over the ownership and commercial use of her image and likeness. 
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Marilyn Monroe’s Estate Continues to Make People Rich… But Who???

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

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

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

Navigating the Evolving Landscape: Val Kilmer’s Digital Legacy

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

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

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

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

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 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

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?

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

Director Norman Jewison's wife cut him off from family, coerced him to change $30M will, lawsuits claimed. Legal fight between filmmaker's sons, 2nd wife highlights end-of-life struggles many families face...
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Family Members Clash Over Director Norman Jewison’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

Aretha Franklin’s Handwritten Last Wishes: a Tale of Two Wills
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Aretha Franklin’s Handwritten Last Wishes: a Tale of Two Wills

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

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

Billionaire Family Feuds: The 7 Biggest Disputes
Curated Content Infamous Feuds

Billionaire Family Feuds: Seven High-Profile Disputes

Kate Rothko Prizel, the daughter of renowned abstract artist Mark Rothko, once said being 19 was the worst year of her life. Still only a teenager, in 1970, Prizel was embroiled in a bitter legal battle with her father’s estate executors and the directors of the Marlborough Fine Art gallery.
Curated Content Infamous Feuds

How Greed Rocked the Art World: The Estate of Mark Rothko

Succession-style feud settled as court sides with Edward Rogers: The fight for Rogers Communications has riven one of Canada’s richest families— and it began with an accidental 'butt dial'...
Curated Content Infamous Feuds

Succession-Style Feud: The Fight for Rogers Communications

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

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

real repercussions of inheriting real estate

Property Pitfalls

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
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
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
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
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
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

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

50
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

56
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

54
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