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
As generative AI brings dead celebrities back to life, we must rethink the rights of the deceased. Changes are due in privacy, consumer protection and property laws, University at Buffalo legal scholar Mark Bartholomew says...
Curated Content Law Reform

Generative AI: Rethinking the Legal Rights of the Deceased

  • January 24, 2024
  • 1 minute read
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

  • April 5, 2025
  • 1 minute read
Family Business Succession: Entrepreneurs can plan for future generational transitions by implementing a corporation governance framework.
Curated Content Succession Lessons

Family Business: Planning for Future Generational Transitions

  • March 10, 2026
  • 1 minute read
Dealing with a loved one’s digital assets after their death can be complicated, especially in the absence of a clear legal framework. This article will take you through what a digital asset is and how to handle them.
Curated Content Digital Distress

Handling Digital Assets: Legal Considerations in the UK

  • February 12, 2025
  • 1 minute read
For ultra-high-net-worth families, wealth management is about more than managing money. It’s also about envisioning strategic planning for the future, including planning for assets as they pass from one generation to the next...
Curated Content Related Resources

Successfully Navigating Legacy Planning: Five Key Factors

  • September 5, 2024
  • 2 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

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

Providing Clear Instructions for Your Digital Executor
Digital Distress Generated Content

Providing Clear Instructions for Your Digital Executor

For ultra-high-net-worth families, wealth management is about more than managing money. It’s also about envisioning strategic planning for the future, including planning for assets as they pass from one generation to the next...
Curated Content Related Resources

Successfully Navigating Legacy Planning: Five Key Factors

Relatives more prepared than ever to take costly legal action to fight for what they feel is 'their due slice' of family wealth— Attempts to have a will ruled invalid have surged 61% in five years...
Curated Content Family Disputes

Family Feuds Over Inheritances Surge 61% in UK

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
Following an apparent suicide, a wealthy patriarch's will and testament surprisingly leaves virtually nothing of his wealth to his third wife and two sons.
Dramatized Content Family Disputes

I, Jack Wright | British TV Drama | 2025

  • April 30, 2025
  • Less than a minute
Administering an estate can be challenging at the best of times. But what happens if a beneficiary simply refuses to engage, leaving the estate stuck for years?
Communication Breakdowns Curated Content

An Estate Stuck in Limbo: Beneficiary Refuses to Engage

  • January 27, 2026
  • 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
Tips to Help Siblings Avoid or Resolve an Estate Battle | Curated Content | Family Disputes | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Family Disputes

Tips to Help Siblings Avoid or Resolve an Estate Battle

  • August 5, 2024
  • 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
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
Lack of communication is a significant factor contributing to inheritance disputes, often leading to mistrust and misunderstandings among family members and beneficiaries. When executors or trustees fail to keep beneficiaries informed about the estate's administration, including asset valuation and distribution, it can fuel suspicion and lead to legal challenges. 
Communication Breakdowns Generated Content

Mistrust & Misunderstandings Lead to Costly Inheritance Disputes

  • June 18, 2025
  • 2 minutes read
Elder financial abuse can take many forms. According to the "Safe & Savvy" guide —developed to help vulnerable adults, in Australia, avoid scams and fraud— here are 10 of the most common types of financial abuse...
Curated Content Guardian Safeguards

10 Most Common Types of Elder Financial Abuse: Australia

  • December 8, 2025
  • Less than a minute
What happens when parents don’t choose guardians properly? The courts step in. Your children become part of a legal process instead of seamlessly transitioning to the loving family member you had in mind. Understanding the legal framework will help you make better decisions for your family.
Curated Content Guardian Safeguards

Complete Guide to Choosing a Guardian in Ontario

  • August 21, 2025
  • 2 minutes 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
There are several reasons that a will may prove invalid. It is important for testators to be aware of these pitfalls in order to avoid them. By understanding the factors that can invalidate your will, you can take proactive steps to safeguard your estate and provide peace of mind for those you leave behind.
Common Mistakes Curated Content

Common Reasons a Will Might Be Declared Invalid in California

  • June 27, 2024
  • 1 minute read
Welcome to "Let’s Talk Family Enterprise", a podcast that explores the ideas, concepts, and models that best serve Family Enterprise Advisors in supporting their clients.
Common Mistakes Curated Content

Family Enterprise Canada Podcast: “Don’t Leave a Mess!”

  • December 19, 2024
  • 1 minute read
Dying Saskatchewan Farmer’s Will Goes Down in History | Curated Content | Strange Bequests | Estates Gone Wrong
Bizarre Bequests Curated Content

Saskatchewan Farmer’s Will Goes Down in History

  • October 25, 2013
  • Less than a minute
Sibling Living in Inherited Property: Refuses To Sell
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

Sibling Living in Inherited Property: Refuses To Sell

  • June 1, 2024
  • 1 minute read
When a loved one passes away, their streaming accounts and subscriptions may seem like minor considerations compared to other estate matters. However, managing these accounts is important to prevent ongoing charges and secure their digital legacy.
Curated Content Digital Distress

Managing Streaming Service Accounts: A Guide for Canadians

  • January 9, 2025
  • Less than a minute
guardian safeguards + eldercare nightmares

The Importance of Planning for
Custody & Long-Term Care

What happens when parents don’t choose guardians properly? The courts step in. Your children become part of a legal process instead of seamlessly transitioning to the loving family member you had in mind. Understanding the legal framework will help you make better decisions for your family.
Curated Content Guardian Safeguards

Complete Guide to Choosing a Guardian in Ontario

  • August 21, 2025
  • 2 minutes read
After a break-in, a frail elderly woman is found dead in her flat by her neighbor. Tipped off by the victim's granddaughter Connie, the investigation focuses on the old lady's live-in caregiver.
Dramatized Content Guardian Safeguards

Law & Order: UK | Episode “Mortal” | 2013

  • August 11, 2013
  • 1 minute read
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
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Helpful Tips + Reference Guides

Related Resources

When a beneficiary cannot be located during the probate process, executors have a legal duty to make reasonable efforts to find them. This guide outlines the steps executors should take to fulfill their obligations...
Curated Content Related Resources

What Should Executors Do If They Can’t Locate a Beneficiary?

  • April 16, 2025
  • Less than a minute
Read More
Designating people you trust to fill important roles, including executor and power of attorney, is essential to a successful estate plan. It's also wise to select backups in case your primary selections are unavailable.
Curated Content Related Resources

Designations: Key Roles to Include in Your Estate Plan

  • August 16, 2024
  • 2 minutes read
Read More
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) offers significant benefits in probate matters, including reduced costs, faster resolution times, and preservation of family relationships. ADR methods like mediation and arbitration allow for confidential, flexible, and often more amicable resolutions compared to traditional litigation. 
Generated Content Related Resources

Benefits of Alternative Dispute Resolution in Probate

  • July 25, 2025
  • 2 minutes read
Read More
Most families don't have these conversations until it's too late. Not because they don't care. But because there's never a clear moment to bring it up...
Curated Content Related Resources

Thoughtful Questions To Ask Your Aging Parents

  • April 24, 2026
  • Less than a minute
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Recent Posts

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?

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.
May 8, 2026

Jackson Estate: Is Michael’s Daughter Receiving Terrible Advice?

Ontario’s approach is deliberately cautious. A posthumously conceived child is entitled to inherit only if all statutory requirements are satisfied.
May 8, 2026

Posthumous Conception and Inheritance in Ontario

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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

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

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

Robert De Niro is said to have plans to leave his seventh child a huge bite of his fortune – leaving his other relatives peeved... De Niro's older children reportedly want an equal cut of his massive estate.
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Robert De Niro Sparks ‘Family Feud’ with His Plans to Revamp Will

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

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

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

The members of one of Canada’s wealthiest dynasties are now openly accusing each other of reckless spending, incompetent leadership and outright fraud... in a web of litigation so complex it could keep them bound up in court for years to come.
Curated Content Infamous Feuds

Stronach Family Trust Dispute: Inside the $500-Million Feud

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

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

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

By ensuring that your intentions are documented, accounting for all family members, and keeping the will simple, you can help your loved ones avoid legal battles and ensure your estate is handled smoothly.  
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Valuable Lessons in Clarity & Intent from Canadian Celebrity Estates

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!”

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

Navigating the Evolving Landscape: Val Kilmer’s Digital Legacy

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

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

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

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

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

Daughters of late Hollywood legend Paul Newman filed a lawsuit against the Newman's Own Foundation (NOF), claiming their father's legacy is "under assault" by the "very organization he founded in an effort to preserve and expand that legacy."
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Paul Newman’s Daughters Claim Father’s Legacy is ‘Under Assault’

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

The Menendez Estate: What Happened to the Money?

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

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 backlash against AI-generated 'resurrections' of deceased celebrities underscores the urgent need for a robust ethical and legal framework to govern the use of digital likenesses, particularly after an individual's passing.
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Backlash Against AI ‘Resurrections’ of Deceased Celebrities

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

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

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

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

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

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
Probate planning pitfalls: The risks that you need to consider before adding your child to the title of your home for estate planning purposes
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

Adding Your Child to The Title of Your Home: Know The Risks!

  • March 12, 2024
  • 1 minute read
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
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
Probate Nightmares: The Dangers of Properties Taken Out of Trust | Property Pitfalls | Real Estate | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

Probate Nightmares: The Dangers of Properties Taken Out of Trust

  • May 30, 2023
  • 1 minute read
Selling Inherited Property: Tips for Executors and Beneficiaries | Property Pitfalls | Real Estate | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

Selling Inherited Property: Tips for Executors and Beneficiaries

  • August 29, 2022
  • 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

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

66
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

34
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
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