An estate tax is levied on the deceased's estate, while an inheritance tax is paid by heirs subject to the tax (spouses are usually exempt). Over a dozen states currently impose estate or inheritance taxes. Find out where you’ll have to pay...
Curated Content Tax-Smart Strategies

2025 Update: States with Scary Estate & Inheritance Taxes

  • October 24, 2025
  • 1 minute read
When you’re no longer capable of making decisions about your health or personal care, someone must make them for you. A Power of Attorney for Personal Care is a legal document that lets someone make these decisions on your behalf.
Curated Content Related Resources

How to Make a Power of Attorney for Personal Care: Ontario

  • February 1, 2025
  • 2 minutes read
When someone dies owing more money than their estate contains, the situation becomes an insolvent estate. Understanding the laws governing insolvent estates is crucial for anyone appointed as an estate trustee.
Curated Content Related Resources

Complete Guide to Understanding Insolvent Estates in Ontario

  • October 23, 2025
  • Less than a minute
You must evaluate your reasoning if you disagree with an estate executor in Ontario. Personal disputes do not qualify for legal intervention and should be solved through communication instead.
Curated Content Frequently Asked Questions

What If I Disagree With an Estate Executor in Ontario?

  • July 2, 2021
  • Less than a minute
A will can be used to provide certain types of conditional gifts in Massachusetts. With that being said, it is generally not the best option for doing so. Trusts are generally far better Estate Planning tools for this purpose...
Curated Content Frequently Asked Questions

Massachusetts: Can You Leave Conditional Gifts in Your Will?

  • November 8, 2024
  • 1 minute 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

  • May 21, 2025
  • 1 minute read
In estate planning, digital accounts such as PayPal, Venmo, and Apple Pay must be considered every bit as much as bank and retirement accounts. Digital accounts can be conveniently closed upon the account holder’s death, provided they plan ahead.
Curated Content Digital Distress

What Happens to Your Virtual Wallets if You Don’t Plan Ahead?

Settling a loved one's digital life requires understanding legal roles and provider policies. Every company follows its own specific rules and privacy policies. Learn the process for managing digital accounts and how planning can simplify it.
Curated Content Digital Distress

The Legal Steps Involved in Settling a Loved One’s Digital Life

DIY estate planning, while seemingly straightforward with online templates and software, often falls short of providing adequate protection and may lead to significant problems during estate administration.
Frequently Asked Questions Generated Content

Frequently Asked Questions About “DIY” Estate Planning

In the intricate process of estate planning and will preparation, the expertise of an accountant is invaluable. The collaboration between your solicitor and accountant ensures a seamless integration of legal and financial expertise.
Curated Content Related Resources

The Critical Role of Accountants in Estate Planning

If you wish to restrict the flow of inherited money to your child, you can do so through your will or trust. While there are legal limits on conditional gifting, you are generally free to structure an inheritance the way you would like.
Curated Content Frequently Asked Questions

Bequests with Strings Attached: Are Conditional Gifts a Good Idea?

valuable lessons learned from

Communication Breakdowns
& Family Disputes

The Costs & Consequences of 'Scorched Earth' Litigation
Curated Content Family Disputes

The Costs & Consequences of ‘Scorched Earth’ Litigation

  • November 29, 2023
  • 1 minute read
UK docuseries "Inheritance Wars" features gripping and shocking true stories of families dragged through the courts by grief and greed...
Dramatized Content Family Disputes

Inheritance Wars | UK Documentary Series | 2023

  • September 17, 2023
  • 1 minute read
An Oregon woman —who "could not be contacted about the money despite numerous attempts to reach her"— died homeless, unaware she was entitled to over $800,000 in inheritance.
Communication Breakdowns Curated Content

Woman Dies Homeless Unaware of $800k Inheritance

  • June 4, 2021
  • 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
Charitable Misgivings Curated Content

Charity Explains Why Dunfermline Church Plans Fell Through

  • January 25, 2024
  • 1 minute read
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
This cautionary tale serves as a reminder of how important it is to carefully plan, draft, and update your Will with the help of an experienced advisor. Doing so can prevent misunderstandings and disputes, and ensure that your wishes are truly fulfilled.
Communication Breakdowns Curated Content

Will Interpretation: Alberta Court Decision Serves as Cautionary Tale

  • April 28, 2025
  • 2 minutes read
Considerations for Choosing a POA for Personal Care | Long-Term Care | Elder Care | Power of Attorney | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Long-Term Care Crisis

Considerations for Choosing a POA for Personal Care

  • November 18, 2024
  • 1 minute read
When a beneficiary refuses to cooperate during estate administration, it can delay the entire process and create significant problems for everyone involved.
Communication Breakdowns Curated Content

Uncooperative Beneficiaries: Impact on Estate Administration

  • January 22, 2026
  • 1 minute read
Property owners who have used joint ownership as an estate planning tool to avoid the cost and delay of probate will need to revisit their plans in light of this decision.
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

Court Ruling Upsets Commonly-held Interpretation of Joint Tenancy

  • December 16, 2024
  • Less than a minute
Landmark Supreme Court of Canada decision, from 1991, established principles for proving undue influence in trust cases: the Geffen v. Goodman family and trust estate dispute...
Family Disputes Generated Content

Landmark Supreme Court of Canada Decision: Undue Influence

  • August 28, 2025
  • 2 minutes read
Sibling Rivalry Lands Mother’s Estate in Court | A Cautionary Tale | Family Disputes | Court Battles | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Family Disputes

Sibling Rivalry Lands Mother’s Estate in Court

  • November 28, 2024
  • 1 minute read
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

  • May 9, 2025
  • 1 minute read
Court rules against woman who sought to have $1.8-million inheritance placed in fully discretionary trust to avoid losing disability benefits...
Curated Content Family Disputes

B.C. Court Rules Against Woman Seeking to Impose Henson Trust

  • February 12, 2025
  • 1 minute read
Leaving Money to Charity so You Don’t Spoil the Kids? | Charitable Bequests | Wealth Management | High Net Worth | Estates Gone Wrong
Charitable Misgivings Curated Content

Leaving Money to Charity so You Don’t Spoil the Kids?

  • March 16, 2023
  • 1 minute read
Here are nine things to do – and not do – when selecting guardians for a minor child or children.
Curated Content Guardian Safeguards

Choosing a Guardian for a Minor Child: 9 Important Considerations

  • January 4, 2023
  • 1 minute read
guardian safeguards + eldercare nightmares

The Importance of Planning for
Custody & Long-Term Care

Considerations for Choosing a POA for Personal Care | Long-Term Care | Elder Care | Power of Attorney | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Long-Term Care Crisis

Considerations for Choosing a POA for Personal Care

  • November 18, 2024
  • 1 minute 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
Watching your elderly parent(s) struggle with dwindling financial resources can be a distressing and overwhelming experience. However, there are steps you can take to address this situation effectively and ensure your parent receives the care and support they need.
Curated Content Long-Term Care Crisis

What to Do When Your Elderly Parent is Running Out

  • September 25, 2023
  • Less than a minute
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Helpful Tips + Reference Guides

Related Resources

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.
Curated Content Related Resources

Estate Planning Documents Suze Orman Says Single Women Need

  • March 28, 2026
  • Less than a minute
Read More
Survivor's guilt stems from a profound sense of injustice. You may be left wondering "why not me?" and feeling responsible or inadequate. It is important to validate your grief by acknowledging these intense emotions without judgment.
Generated Content Related Resources

Understanding Survivor’s Guilt: Outliving Your Adult Child

  • October 8, 2025
  • 2 minutes read
Read More
With spring in the air, many of us feel inspired to do some cleaning and clear the clutter. While the task may seem daunting, did you know it’s also an essential step in creating a well-thought-out estate plan?
Curated Content Related Resources

How Decluttering Can Help Streamline Estate Administration

  • April 6, 2025
  • 1 minute read
Read More
Absence of a clear and well-structured will often leads to protracted and costly legal disputes, straining relationships. Take steps, now, to ensure your will is "contest-proof"...
Curated Content Related Resources

Eliminating Ambiguity: Steps to Ensure Your Will is “Contest-Proof”

  • April 13, 2026
  • Less than a minute
Read More
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Recent Posts

Inheriting a collection is a significant emotional and financial event. It connects us to our past, to loved ones, and to histories that may span generations. Yet, it also presents a daunting challenge: how to decide what to keep and what to sell. 
May 30, 2026

Inherited Collectibles: Practical Tips for Deciding What to Keep or Sell

Over the past decade, a caregiving crisis has been building in the workplace. Currently, 35% of the Canadian workforce or 8 million people, are struggling and juggling their work responsibilities with caregiving duties.
May 25, 2026

Caregiving Crisis at Work: Millions of Canadians Struggling

When New York Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the Medical Aid in Dying Act into law on Feb. 6, 2026, she included an unusual provision: patients requesting medical aid in dying must make an audio or video recording of their oral request...
May 21, 2026

Medical Aid in Dying: New York State’s Unusual New Requirement

Discretionary trusts can be an effective way to provide for beneficiaries without granting them fixed entitlements. However, these structures can create uncertainty for beneficiaries... Understanding the legal framework is critical for both sides.
May 21, 2026

Ontario Guide to Discretionary Trusts and Beneficiary Rights

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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

Who inherited Jimi Hendrix’s estate? The answer is more complicated than many might assume. This article explores the distribution of his fortune, the legal disputes that followed, and who ultimately controls his estate today...
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Legendary Legal Battle: The Heavily Contested Estate of Jimi Hendrix

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

Actress Diane Keaton left behind not just a remarkable legacy but an important reminder about estate planning for our pets.
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Pet Trusts: What We Can Learn from Diane Keaton’s Estate

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?

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 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

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

Controversial Prince Documentary Cancelled Over Estate Dispute
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Controversial Prince Documentary Cancelled Over Estate Dispute

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”

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

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

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 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

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

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

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

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”

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

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

Inside Billionaire Rupert Murdoch’s Family Trust Battle

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

AI and Ethics Collide: A proposal to use artificial intelligence to recreate the voice of late actor Robin Williams has reignited a contentious debate around consent, legacy, and the ethical boundaries of generative AI.
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Robin Williams Voice Recreation Proposal Sparks Backlash

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

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

Navigating the Evolving Landscape: Val Kilmer’s Digital Legacy

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???

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

Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Lessons To Be Learned From Failed Celebrity Estates

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

real repercussions of inheriting real estate

Property Pitfalls

The Pitfalls of Joint Ownership: Know the Risks
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

The Pitfalls of Joint Ownership: Know the Risks

  • May 22, 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
Whether you own a cottage, a family home, or any other high-value asset, working with an experienced estate lawyer to craft clear, specific, and regularly updated instructions is not just good practice — it is essential.
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

Why Cottage Estates Are a Breeding Ground for Family Conflict

  • March 22, 2026
  • 1 minute read
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
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
Many Canadians dream of buying a property by the sea in Florida or a golf course in Arizona. But what happens at the time of death? Buying a property in the United States takes planning...
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

Canadian Will & U.S. Property: Avoiding Probate Takes Planning

  • February 10, 2025
  • 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

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

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

50
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