Executor Not Communicating with Beneficiaries: What to Do
Communication Breakdowns Curated Content

Executor Not Communicating with Beneficiaries: What to Do

  • May 25, 2025
  • 1 minute read
Securing the future of a child demands careful planning and thoughtful consideration, especially if they have developmental disabilities that require them to receive lifelong support from loved ones.
Common Mistakes Curated Content

Estate Planning for Child with Special Needs: Mistakes to Avoid!

  • April 26, 2024
  • 1 minute read
Talking about money is never easy, especially when it involves inheritance, and in many wealthy families, conversations about who gets what, when, and why can feel uncomfortable. Learn how to have constructive talks regarding wealth, values, legacy.
Curated Content Related Resources

Family Wealth Conversations: Strategies That Work

  • October 6, 2025
  • 1 minute read
Recent Ontario Court of Appeal decision provides an important lesson to farming families and their professional advisors: good intentions and family loyalty, while laudable, are no substitute for clear, enforceable agreements.
Curated Content Succession Lessons

Court Decision: Important Lesson for Ontario Farming Families

  • September 5, 2025
  • Less than a minute
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

  • September 20, 2024
  • 1 minute read
What are the steps involved in administering an estate? How long does it typically take to administer an estate? What if I’m named as an executor but unwilling to serve? Here you'll find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions...
Curated Content Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Wills and Estates (BC)

  • June 10, 2024
  • 1 minute read
These books offer the most current 2025 insights and can help you stay ahead of the curve in protecting your family and legacy with confidence.
Curated Content Related Resources

7 Future-Forward Estate Planning Books Defining 2025

Scenes that involve issues interwoven with estate planning principles: The Lion King, Storks, Despicible Me, Step Brothers, Up, Lost, Buried
Common Mistakes Curated Content

Estate Planning Principles: Scenes from the Silver Screen

7 Costly Estate Planning Mistakes and How to Avoid Them | Curated Content | Common Mistakes | Cautionary Tales | Estates Gone Wrong
Common Mistakes Curated Content

7 Costly Estate Planning Mistakes & How to Avoid Them

It might be the hardest part of caregiving — watching your loved one slip away step by terrible step, knowing you can’t stop the decline and grieving the loss, long before they’re actually gone.
Curated Content Related Resources

Five Steps for Dealing with Anticipatory Grief

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

valuable lessons learned from

Communication Breakdowns
& Family Disputes

The First Step: Open Conversation with Loved Ones | Communication Breakdowns | We Need to Talk About Estate Planning | Estates Gone Wrong
Communication Breakdowns Curated Content

The First Step: Open Conversation with Loved Ones

  • September 5, 2024
  • 1 minute read
Estate Disputes: Limitation Periods You Need to Know About
Curated Content Family Disputes

Estate Disputes: Limitation Periods You Need to Know About

  • February 25, 2025
  • 1 minute read
Recent Ontario Court of Appeal ruling reaffirms the modern cost approach in estate litigation: trustees who fail in their duties may not only be removed but may also bear the personal financial burden of their choices.
Communication Breakdowns Curated Content

Personal Liability for Costs Due to Breach of Fiduciary Duty:

  • July 22, 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
Charitable Giving: Legacy is More than What You Leave Behind
Charitable Misgivings Curated Content

Charitable Giving: Legacy is More than What You Leave Behind

  • April 4, 2025
  • 2 minutes read
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

  • March 10, 2026
  • 1 minute read
We can do many things to make preparing our Executor and loved ones easier. However, the main thing is just to start having the conversation, even if it is little sentences at a time. Don’t leave your loved ones with such confusion that they end up resorting to stalking someone to get some answers as Carrie Bradshaw did!
Communication Breakdowns Curated Content

“BIG” Surprises in Your Will? Your Loved Ones Deserve a Spoiler Alert!

  • March 3, 2022
  • 2 minutes read
Canada Pension Plan Embroiled in Long-Term Care Fiasco | Long-Term Care | Elder Care | Fraud | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Long-Term Care Crisis

Canada Pension Plan Embroiled in Long-Term Care Fiasco

  • October 18, 2024
  • 1 minute read
Guardianship is an expensive, time-consuming process that ultimately removes decision-making rights from the person with a disability. Once guardianship is in place, it is very difficult to reverse.
Curated Content Guardian Safeguards

Adults with Disabilities: Decision-Making Rights & Support

  • December 20, 2024
  • 1 minute read
While creating a legal will is essential for the transfer of wealth, it’s just one part of the process. To be sure your wishes are truly honoured, your financial legacy preserved, and your family is supported, you need a comprehensive estate plan. Moreover, you need to communicate that plan effectively.
Communication Breakdowns Curated Content

Unlocking Your Legacy: Estate Planning Conversations are Critical

  • February 6, 2025
  • 2 minutes read
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
Charitable Beneficiaries and Family Members At Odds Over Estate Distribution | Curated Content | Charitable Bequests | Estates Gone Wrong
Charitable Misgivings Curated Content

Charitable Beneficiaries & Family Battle Over Estate Distribution

  • September 10, 2020
  • 1 minute read
When a Will contains vague, contradictory, or incomplete instructions, it doesn’t just create paperwork headaches— it can ignite family disputes that last for years.
Communication Breakdowns Curated Content

What Really Happens When Wills Aren’t Clear?

  • June 11, 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
Learn the critical reasons why a will alone is insufficient for a comprehensive estate plan, and why incorporating trusts, beneficiary designations and incapacity planning is essential to ensure a seamless and protected transfer of your assets to your loved ones.
Common Mistakes Curated Content

Relying Solely on a Will? It Could Be a Costly Mistake!

  • March 11, 2024
  • 1 minute read
Cross-border capacity and guardianship issues are becoming increasingly common as families, assets, and caregiving arrangements span jurisdictions.
Curated Content Guardian Safeguards

Cross-Border Guardianship: Capacity Case Spans Jurisdictions

  • March 27, 2026
  • 1 minute read
guardian safeguards + eldercare nightmares

The Importance of Planning for
Custody & Long-Term Care

Without a plan in place, assets like retirement savings, real estate, or other investments may need to be liquidated to cover the costs. This is why incorporating long-term care strategies into estate planning is essential.
Curated Content Long-Term Care Crisis

Planning for Long-Term Care Costs without Draining Your Estate

  • May 8, 2025
  • 1 minute read
High Costs for Long-Term Care are 'Unforgivable' | Curated Content | Elder Care Nightmares | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Long-Term Care Crisis

High Costs for Long-Term Care are ‘Unforgivable’

  • February 20, 2024
  • 1 minute read
It’s never too early to start talking with your family members to ensure everyone is on the same page when a care crisis occurs. Specifically, talk to your parents about their intentions for the future when they’re still capable of managing their affairs.
Curated Content Long-Term Care Crisis

Planning Care for Aging Parents: Five Key Steps

  • July 10, 2025
  • 1 minute read
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Helpful Tips + Reference Guides

Related Resources

As individuals approach the end of life, families often find themselves at the heart of crucial care decisions. It is essential for families to communicate openly, ensuring that all members feel supported and included in the decision-making process.
Curated Content Related Resources

Understanding The Role of Family in End-Of-Life Care Decisions

  • February 26, 2025
  • 2 minutes read
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Losing a parent is one of life's most profound sorrows. For those in their 20s and 30s, this loss can feel particularly disorienting. As you navigate this complex journey, this guide offers compassionate support and practical coping strategies...
Curated Content Related Resources

Losing a Parent in Your 20s and 30s: Navigating Young Adult Grief

  • March 14, 2026
  • 1 minute read
Read More
Mental Health Impacting Intergenerational Wealth Transfers [Podcast Episode]
Curated Content Related Resources

The Impact of Mental Health on Intergenerational Wealth Transfers

  • June 10, 2024
  • 1 minute read
Read More
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

  • February 20, 2025
  • Less than a minute
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Recent Posts

Without the right legal documents, even your closest family member can’t access your accounts, talk to your doctors or make decisions on your behalf. Here are the five “Must-Have Documents” that protect your independence.
March 28, 2026

Estate Planning Documents Suze Orman Says Single Women Need

Cross-border capacity and guardianship issues are becoming increasingly common as families, assets, and caregiving arrangements span jurisdictions.
March 27, 2026

Cross-Border Guardianship: Capacity Case Spans Jurisdictions

Over 6 million Canadians aged 15 and older identifies having one or more disabilities. Today, we're talking about estate planning for disabled beneficiaries in British Columbia.
March 26, 2026

How to Safeguard Your Disabled Loved Ones in Your Estate Plan

Estate litigation lawyers across Canada are seeing a steady increase in undue influence estate disputes. Families are more frequently questioning whether a will truly reflects a loved one’s wishes or whether someone exerted pressure behind the scenes.
March 23, 2026

Steady Increase in Undue Influence Estate Disputes in Canada

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Infamous Feuds + Celebrity Estates

Cautionary Tales

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 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

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

Glastonbury Founder Could Avoid £80m in Inheritance Tax

The Will of Marlon Brando: A Lesson in Estate Planning | Inheritance Disputes | Celebrity Estates | Court Battles | Estates Gone Wrong
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

The Will of Marlon Brando: A Lesson in Estate Planning

Ten Absolutely Vicious Fights over Inherited Fortunes | Curated Content | Celebrity Estates | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Infamous Feuds

Ten Absolutely Vicious Fights over Inherited Fortunes

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

Estate planning becomes more complicated when assets, citizenship and tax rules extend beyond a single country. In this episode of Celebrity Estates, David Lenok speaks with Martin Behn about these challenges.
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Celebrity Estates Podcast: Cross-Border Planning Lessons

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 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

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

When high-profile celebrities pass away, their estate disputes often make headlines. However, the legal challenges their estates face are not exclusive to those of the rich and famous.
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Prevent Costly Missteps: Lessons from Celebrity Estate 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

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

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

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

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

The Legacy of Bob Ross: Lessons in Succession Planning
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

The Legacy of Bob Ross: Lessons in Succession Planning

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

Richard Simmons’ Estate: Family in Legal Battle with Housekeeper

Suit claimed Dudesy podcast violated Carlin’s copyright, calling it ‘a casual theft of a great American artist’s work’... The lawsuit was one of the first in the US to focus on the legality of deepfakes imitating a celebrity’s likeness.
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

George Carlin’s Estate Settles Lawsuit Over “AI Doppelganger”

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

The true story of a multi-billion dollar art heist and how they got away with it... 2009 Documentary follows the struggle for control of Dr. Albert C. Barnes' 25 billion dollar collection of modern and post-impressionist art.
Dramatized Content Infamous Feuds

The Art of the Steal | Documentary | 2009

Agreement Reached in Dispute over Charley Pride's Will
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Agreement Reached in Dispute over Charley Pride’s Will

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

Billionaire Family Feuds: Seven High-Profile Disputes

Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Lessons To Be Learned From Failed Celebrity Estates

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

The Anna Nicole Smith estate saga is more than just a celebrity courtroom drama; it's a cautionary tale with lessons for everyone, according to attorney John Levy. 
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Case Study: Anna Nicole Smith Estate Saga Offers Lessons for All

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

real repercussions of inheriting real estate

Property Pitfalls

Family Cottage Succession: a Dream or a Nightmare? No matter how much you may intend to keep the property in the family, you should plan for the almost certain inevitability that at some point it will be sold.
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

Shared Ownership in The Family Cottage: a Dream or a Nightmare?

  • August 5, 2022
  • 1 minute read
How do you approach estate planning if your property is divided between Florida and another country? Don’t assume Florida and Canada have the same laws! Consider putting your Florida property into a Trust...
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

Florida Estate Planning for Canadian Snowbirds

  • December 18, 2024
  • 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
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 a Property With Your Siblings: What Are Your Options? | Family Disputes | Property Pitfalls | Real Estate | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

Inheriting a Property With Your Siblings: What Are Your Options?

  • May 30, 2024
  • 1 minute read
Selling or transferring an inherited cottage in Canada often triggers capital gains tax, even though Canada does not have an inheritance tax. If you are administering an estate or planning a future transfer, early tax clarity can prevent costly mistakes later.
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

Selling or Transferring an Inherited Cottage in Canada

  • January 12, 2026
  • 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

52
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

40
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

60
Abusive Guardianships: Prevention & Taking Action

Guardian Safeguards

32
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

41
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