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

  • April 16, 2025
  • 1 minute read
Couples may have many reasons for not getting married, but when a common law partner dies without a will, the living partner is left legally vulnerable. Here’s what you need to know...
Curated Content Law Reform

Legally Vulnerable: Estate Complications for Common Law Couples 

  • February 16, 2023
  • 3 minutes read
March is Fraud Prevention Month and with reported cases of fraud rising, seniors are encouraged to increase their awareness of current scams and learn how they can protect themselves.
Curated Content Digital Distress

Cyber Scams: Fraud Prevention Resources for Canadian Seniors

  • March 10, 2025
  • 1 minute read
The Importance of Appointing a Digital Executor | Accessing and Protecting Digital Assets | Estate Planning | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Digital Distress

The Importance of Appointing a Digital Executor

  • August 7, 2024
  • 1 minute read
This documentary explores the extraordinary lives of six women whose inherited billions brought not just luxury, but burdens that money could never alleviate...
Curated Content Squandered Fortunes

Heiresses: The Women of Wealth (Documentary)

  • April 18, 2025
  • 1 minute read
Validity Requirements for Last Wills and Testaments in Ontario
Curated Content Law Reform

Validity Requirements for Last Wills & Testaments in Ontario

  • February 27, 2025
  • Less than a minute
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?

Family Conflict Results in Long-Term Estate Litigation over Secret Trust and Mutual Wills Agreement | Family Disputes | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Family Disputes

Family Conflict Results in Long-Term Estate Litigation

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

End-of-Life Planning vs Estate Planning: What's the Difference?
Frequently Asked Questions Generated Content

End-of-Life Planning vs. Estate Planning: What’s the Difference?

Finding the right will making software for your family situation can streamline the process and allow you to have everything in order for your heirs. These sites can help you create an affordable will online...
Curated Content Related Resources

How to Create an Affordable Will Online: United States

valuable lessons learned from

Communication Breakdowns
& Family Disputes

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

Fights Over Estates Can Tear Families Apart

  • November 12, 2021
  • 1 minute read
This unscripted streaming docuseries delves into the drama that unfolds when grief and greed collide, exposing family secrets and highlighting the potential for conflict and legal battles over inheritances. 
Dramatized Content Family Disputes

The Will: Family Secrets Revealed | Unscripted Series

  • November 3, 2010
  • 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
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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
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
Be prepared to be vulnerable. Start by acknowledging it's a challenging topic and ensure everyone is comfortable and open to the discussion.
Generated Content Long-Term Care Crisis

How to Discuss Long-Term Care Planning with Your Family

  • May 7, 2025
  • 2 minutes read
Holding Assets & Accounts Jointly with Your Kids: Know the Risks
Common Mistakes Curated Content

Holding Assets & Accounts Jointly with Your Kids: Know the Risks

  • February 24, 2025
  • 2 minutes read
Widow in Legal Battle with Rotary Foundation Over Husband's Estate
Charitable Misgivings Curated Content

Widow in Legal Battle with Rotary Foundation Over Husband’s Estate

  • November 14, 2024
  • 1 minute read
Thirty paintings created by the bushy-haired, soft-spoken Bob Ross will soon be up for auction to defray the costs of programming for small and rural public television stations suffering under cuts in federal funding.
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Bob Ross Paintings to be Auctioned to Support Public TV Stations

  • October 7, 2025
  • 1 minute read
Charities have Fiduciary Duties as Estate Beneficiaries | Charitable Bequests | Administration | Philanthropic Advisor | Estates Gone Wrong
Charitable Misgivings Curated Content

Charities have Fiduciary Duties as Estate Beneficiaries

  • August 29, 2024
  • 1 minute read
Courts could use artificial intelligence (AI) to speed up probate, but digitizing documents and training a new AI model is labour intensive.
Curated Content Digital Distress

Could AI Speed Up Uncontested Probate Applications?

  • February 4, 2025
  • 1 minute read
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Lessons To Be Learned From Failed Celebrity Estates

  • June 29, 2021
  • Less than a minute
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
Planning for the incapacity of vulnerable adults involves creating legal and practical arrangements to ensure their well-being and financial stability if they become unable to make decisions for themselves. This includes designating substitute decision-makers through powers of attorney or protection mandates, developing comprehensive care plans, and potentially seeking court-appointed guardianship or trusteeship. 
Generated Content Guardian Safeguards

Designating Decision Makers for Vulnerable Adults

  • June 5, 2025
  • 1 minute read
One way to plan financially for long-term care is to create a trust. It can be an incredibly useful tool to protect your assets if you become incapacitated and to shield your assets to qualify for certain long-term care benefits.
Curated Content Long-Term Care Crisis

How to Use a Trust to Plan for Long-Term Care

  • January 23, 2023
  • 1 minute read
Fights Over Estates Can Tear Families Apart | Curated Content | Family Disputes | Inheritance Horror Stories | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Family Disputes

Fights Over Estates Can Tear Families Apart

  • November 12, 2021
  • 1 minute read
guardian safeguards + eldercare nightmares

The Importance of Planning for
Custody & Long-Term Care

Be prepared to be vulnerable. Start by acknowledging it's a challenging topic and ensure everyone is comfortable and open to the discussion.
Generated Content Long-Term Care Crisis

How to Discuss Long-Term Care Planning with Your Family

  • May 7, 2025
  • 2 minutes read
In Ontario, a Power of Attorney for Personal Care (POAPC) is a legal document that covers healthcare, living arrangements, and other personal needs. It's important to choose someone trustworthy and capable of understanding your wishes.
Generated Content Long-Term Care Crisis

Power of Attorney for Personal Care (POAPC): Ontario

  • June 17, 2025
  • 1 minute read
As we grow older and enter retirement, we face many LIFE-CHANGING decisions. We must consider long-term care, financial well-being, and, ultimately, our end-of-life planning. Fortunately, there are legislations in place to protect the rights and interests of older individuals.
Curated Content Long-Term Care Crisis

Elder Care Law: A Comprehensive Guide for Families

  • May 31, 2024
  • 1 minute read
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Helpful Tips + Reference Guides

Related Resources

Comparing DIY Estate Planning Software: Features & Costs | With so many options available, choosing the right DIY Estate Planning Software can feel like navigating a labyrinth...
Curated Content Related Resources

Comparing DIY Estate Planning Software: Features & Costs

  • May 7, 2025
  • 1 minute read
Read More
Whether you’re an executor tasked with administering a loved one’s estate or a family member seeking to understand what lies ahead, this comprehensive guide will walk you through every step...
Curated Content Related Resources

Complete Guide to Estate Settlement in Canada

  • February 25, 2025
  • 1 minute read
Read More
Curated Content Related Resources

Create a More Effective Estate Plan: Tips & Best Practices

  • January 6, 2025
  • Less than a minute
Read More
There’s a common myth that Canada doesn't have an inheritance tax, but before you start making financial plans or decisions, having the full picture is important. Whether leaving an inheritance or expecting to receive one, know the tax implications ahead of time.
Curated Content Related Resources

Myths & Misconceptions About Inheritance Tax in Canada

  • April 14, 2025
  • 1 minute read
Read More
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Recent Posts

Ever thought about gifting a property to your children? I recently had this very discussion with my own aging parents. This resulted in some important discussions about our family home, their goals and consideration for the tax outcomes of any decisions made...
December 4, 2025

Transferring the Family Home: Considerations for Canadians

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. 
December 2, 2025

Gifting Property to Your Heirs “Inter Vivos”: Pros and Cons

Major life transitions can cause stress that makes it hard to think clearly, leading to poor financial decisions. A Certified Financial Transitionist can help you manage the financial and emotional aspects of these events.
November 18, 2025

The Financial and Emotional Challenges of Major Life Changes

Staying informed isn’t just good practice. It protects relationships, builds trust, and ensures clients feel safe and supported. Consider bookmarking the BankSafe Dementia Hub as a go-to reference when navigating delicate client situations.
November 17, 2025

Dementia Hub: Fraud Prevention Resources from AARP

Directory Listings

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

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 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

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

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

Glastonbury Founder Could Avoid £80m in Inheritance Tax

The Top 10 Estate Battles Of All Time | Curated Content | Celebrity Estates | Inheritance Horror Stories | Estates Gone Wrong
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Probate Disputes: The Top 10 Estate Battles Of All Time

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

Family in Legal Battle with Housekeeper over Richard Simmons' Estate
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Richard Simmons’ Estate: Family in Legal Battle with Housekeeper

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!”

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

Thirty paintings created by the bushy-haired, soft-spoken Bob Ross will soon be up for auction to defray the costs of programming for small and rural public television stations suffering under cuts in federal funding.
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Bob Ross Paintings to be Auctioned to Support Public TV Stations

Robbie Robertson’s Children Accuse Widow of "Financial Elder Abuse" | Family Disputes | Celebrity Estates | Estates Gone Wrong
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Robbie Robertson’s Children Accuse Widow of “Financial Elder Abuse”

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

Dueling Trustees Battle Over Jimmy Buffett’s $275 Million 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

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

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

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”

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

Celebrity Estates Curated Content

What We Can Learn From Celebrity Estate Planning Gone Wrong

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Menendez Estate: What Happened to the Money?

Inside Billionaire Rupert Murdoch’s Family Trust Battle
Curated Content Infamous Feuds

Inside Billionaire Rupert Murdoch’s Family Trust Battle

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

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

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
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
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
Tax Considerations for Inherited Properties: What You Need to Know | Property Pitfalls | Real Estate | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

Tax Considerations for Inherited Properties: What You Need to Know

  • February 15, 2023
  • 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
Inheriting Real Estate in Canada: What You Need to Know
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

Inheritance Tax & Cross-Border Rules: What Canadians Need to Know

  • December 20, 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

28
Priscilla Presley Settles Dispute with Granddaughter over Lisa Marie Presley's Estate | Curated Content | Celebrity Estates

Celebrity Estates

46
Family Conflict Results in Long-Term Estate Litigation over Secret Trust and Mutual Wills Agreement | Family Disputes | Estates Gone Wrong

Charitable Misgivings

30
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

40
Top 8 Risks: The Dangers of Improper Estate Planning | Common Mistakes | Cautionary Tales | Inheritance Horror Stories | Estates Gone Wrong

Digital Distress

46
Fights Over Estates Can Tear Families Apart | Curated Content | Family Disputes | Inheritance Horror Stories | Estates Gone Wrong

Family Disputes

58
Abusive Guardianships: Prevention & Taking Action

Guardian Safeguards

30
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

40
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