This guide explains who can be a beneficiary, the different types, the rights you hold as a beneficiary in Ontario, and the rules that decide what happens when something goes wrong.
Beneficiary Rights Curated Content

The Rights You Hold as a Beneficiary in Ontario

  • May 21, 2026
  • 1 minute read
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Lessons To Be Learned From Failed Celebrity Estates

  • June 29, 2021
  • Less than a minute
Groundbreaking Estate Decisions in 2024 & 2025
Curated Content Family Disputes

Groundbreaking Estate Litigation Decisions

  • April 23, 2025
  • 3 minutes 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
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

  • March 12, 2026
  • 1 minute read
Did a German countess named Karlotta Leibenstein really leave millions to a dog named Gunther? The German Shepard has long been described as one of the wealthiest dogs in the world, but —spoiler alert!— the truth is not that simple...
Bizarre Bequests Curated Content

Spoiler Alert: The True Story Behind “Gunther’s Millions”

  • February 1, 2023
  • 1 minute read
Successful family business succession requires balancing emotional and rational considerations, family harmony and business performance, tradition and innovation. It demands honest self-assessment, difficult conversations, and sometimes painful decisions.
Curated Content Succession Lessons

Mastering Family Business Succession Planning

When a Charitable Bequest in a Will Goes Wrong | Curated Content | Charitable Bequests | Estates Gone Wrong
Charitable Misgivings Curated Content

When a Charitable Bequest in a Will Goes Wrong

Choosing an executor is one of the most consequential decisions in estate planning. Conflicts of interest can lead to family disputes, high legal costs, and can jeopardize proper estate administration.
Curated Content Related Resources

What Constitutes Executor Conflicts of Interest in Ontario?

Disputes over intellectual property can escalate into legal battles if not addressed properly, potentially harming both the IP itself and family relationships.
Family Disputes Generated Content

Family Disputes Over Intellectual Property: Common Causes

This case is a testament to how even well-intentioned actions, when shrouded in ambiguity, can ignite protracted legal battles, leaving emotional scars and financial burdens on grieving families.
Curated Content Family Disputes

A Family Divided: Vancouver Condo at Centre of Estate Dispute

EXPLORE ARTICLES & INSIGHTS
professional advisory services

How To Get Involved

Estates Gone Wrong is a global curated content roundup, intended for information purposes only, for which we receive no compensation. 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. We also accept content recommendations and general inquiries by email.

APPLY FOR A PROFILE