Here’s a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) that BAO staff regularly receive in phone calls and emails. Have a question we haven’t answered here? Please ask your question by email...
Curated Content Frequently Asked Questions

Bereavement Authority of Ontario: Answers to FAQs for Families

  • July 21, 2025
  • 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
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
MAID Canada: Late Mother's Role in Son's "Right to Choose"
Curated Content Law Reform

MAID Canada: Late Mother’s Role in Son’s “Right to Choose”

  • May 31, 2025
  • 1 minute read
Undue influence is a high legal threshold to meet. If you believe that your loved one has been subject to undue influence in drafting their Will, what can you do about it?
Communication Breakdowns Curated Content

Undue Influence Concerns: Beware a Sudden Change of Heart

  • April 4, 2025
  • 1 minute read
As Ontario’s population ages, protecting the health, dignity, and rights of older adults, especially those living in long-term care and retirement homes, has become a matter of urgent public concern. What Ontario’s Seniors and Caregivers Should Know About the Support for Seniors and Caregivers Act, 2025
Curated Content Law Reform

Ontario’s Support for Seniors and Caregivers Act 2025

  • July 29, 2025
  • 1 minute read
Ontario Estate Court Forms Revamped: Key Changes You Need to Know
Curated Content Related Resources

Ontario Estate Court Forms Revamped: Key Changes

Truly Wild Inheritance Stories: From Entire Towns to Century-Old Denim
Bizarre Bequests Curated Content

Truly Wild Inheritance Stories: From Entire Towns to Century-Old Denim

While a verbal promise might be enforceable in certain circumstances, it’s best to have the promised inheritance in writing. This article explores the legal obligations that come with promised inheritance in British Columbia. 
Curated Content Related Resources

Protecting Your Verbally Promised Inheritance

Dramatized Content Family Disputes

The Estate | American Comedy Film | 2022

Grief isn’t just about the initial loss. It’s also about the secondary losses that may go unnoticed but add to the impact of the initial loss. Wondering how you can help... what NOT to say or do? Find out how to help support someone in navigating the financial aspects of a loss…
Curated Content Related Resources

Grief Support: Navigating The Financial Aspects of Loss

valuable lessons learned from

Communication Breakdowns
& Family Disputes

‘Really weird vibes’: This man says his wife’s grandma left them part of a multi-million dollar inheritance — but her parents think they ‘got skipped’ and want in on it.
Curated Content Family Disputes

Family Drama & Weird Vibes: Grandma’s Inheritance Surprise

  • January 29, 2025
  • 1 minute read
It is important to clearly document and communicate intentions when making either a loan or a gift to a family member. Sometimes we assume a verbal agreement is sufficient but having clear written documentation removes uncertainty and mitigates the risk of disputes arising after the fact.
Curated Content Family Disputes

A Family Feud Unwrapped in Court: Gifts vs Loans

  • September 5, 2025
  • 1 minute read
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
Load More
random roundup

Filter By Topic

All Celebrity Estates Family Disputes Charitable Misgivings Common Mistakes Bizarre Bequests Long-Term Care Crisis Communication Breakdowns Property Pitfalls Digital Distress Guardian Safeguards
Have you recently inherited a house that’s completely paid off? Congratulations! But before you start celebrating, it’s essential to understand what comes next. This video will give you a clear picture of what to expect and how to navigate the process.
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

Inheriting a House That’s Paid Off: What You Need to Know!

  • August 12, 2024
  • Less than a minute
Estate planning plays a crucial role in crime dramas like The Sixth Commandment, where financial manipulation and inheritance fraud drive the plot.
Dramatized Content Family Disputes

The Sixth Commandment | True Crime Drama | 2023

  • July 17, 2023
  • 1 minute read
Can Your Subscription Service Limit Your Estate’s Ability to Sue? | Digital Distress | Streaming Subscription Agreement | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Digital Distress

Warning: Read “Subscriber Agreements” Very Carefully

  • October 2, 2024
  • 2 minutes read
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
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
Your Family Pet Deserves a Well Thought Out Transition Plan | Curated Content | Common Mistakes | Estates Gone Wrong
Common Mistakes Curated Content

Your Family Pet Deserves a Well Thought Out Transition Plan

  • April 15, 2024
  • 1 minute read
It’s rumored that Lagerfeld left a large portion, if not all, of his nearly $300 million fortune to his beloved cat. Though there’s no confirmation on any specific dollar amount, it is understood that her inheritance is well into the millions...
Bizarre Bequests Curated Content

How Karl Lagerfeld’s Beloved Cat Spends Her Inheritance

  • April 9, 2025
  • 1 minute 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
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

What We Can Learn From Celebrity Estate Planning Gone Wrong

  • October 16, 2023
  • 1 minute read
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
Can You Contest a Will That Leaves Your Parent’s Money to a Charity? When Should You Contest Your Parent’s Charitable Will Bequest?
Charitable Misgivings Curated Content

Can You Contest a Will that Leaves Your Parent’s Money to a Charity?

  • October 22, 2021
  • Less than a minute
Being a guardian comes with a significant amount of responsibility. The purpose of this blog post is to outline the guardianship process and to answer frequently asked questions on the subject of guardianship...
Curated Content Guardian Safeguards

Guardianship: Responsibilities and Frequently Asked Questions

  • December 7, 2023
  • 1 minute read
guardian safeguards + eldercare nightmares

The Importance of Planning for
Custody & Long-Term Care

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
Families rarely plan for capacity disputes. They emerge in real time. Disputes often grow when families assume capacity is global. However, capacity is decision-specific. It is not a single, permanent label.
Curated Content Guardian Safeguards

Decision Making & Older Adults: Capacity Disputes in Ontario

  • March 20, 2026
  • 1 minute read
Long-Term Care Expenses Can Destroy Your Estate Plan | Elder Care Costs | Tax Implications | LTC Insurance | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Long-Term Care Crisis

Long-Term Care Expenses Can Destroy Your Estate Plan

  • May 23, 2024
  • 1 minute read
Load More
Helpful Tips + Reference Guides

Related Resources

A Letter of Wishes is an important document and we would usually recommend writing one when setting up a trust or writing a Will which contains trust provisions. They should be updated when circumstances change and reviewed on a regular basis.
Curated Content Related Resources

Letter of Wishes: What You Need to Know

  • February 25, 2021
  • 3 minutes read
Read More
While a verbal promise might be enforceable in certain circumstances, it’s best to have the promised inheritance in writing. This article explores the legal obligations that come with promised inheritance in British Columbia. 
Curated Content Related Resources

Protecting Your Verbally Promised Inheritance

  • September 9, 2025
  • 1 minute read
Read More
Trusts are an important tool for estate planning. They broadly fall into two categories: revocable and irrevocable trusts. But what is the difference and which is right for you?
Curated Content Related Resources

Revocable and Irrevocable Trusts: Key Differences Explained

  • November 28, 2024
  • 1 minute read
Read More
A spousal trust can be very beneficial for your family’s financial future. But the execution of such a trust requires careful consideration and planning as trustees must balance the current needs of the surviving spouse with the future inheritance of the heirs.
Curated Content Related Resources

Spousal Trusts: Selecting the Right Trustee

  • October 6, 2025
  • 1 minute read
Read More
Load More

Recent Posts

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

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

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?

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.

Share Your Profile
Infamous Feuds + Celebrity Estates

Cautionary Tales

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

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.
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

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

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

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

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

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

Elvis Presley’s Estate Planning Mistakes: Lessons for Us All | Curated Content | Celebrity Estates | Estates Gone Wrong
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Elvis Presley’s Estate Planning Mistakes: Lessons for Us All

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

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

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

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

High-profile estate disputes can offer invaluable lessons in effective estate planning. One prominent case is that of oil tycoon J. Howard Marshall II and his brief marriage to Anna Nicole Smith.
Curated Content Infamous Feuds

Estate Planning Lessons from J. Howard Marshall II’s Case

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

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’

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

Often you hear that you should review your will or trust to make sure it keeps up with changes in your life and still meets your needs. The tragic death of Philip Seymour Hoffman, whose will became public due to the probate proceeding, brought some of these issues into the public eye.
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Unintended Consequences: Philip Seymour Hoffman’s Estate

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

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!”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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
Have you recently inherited a house that’s completely paid off? Congratulations! But before you start celebrating, it’s essential to understand what comes next. This video will give you a clear picture of what to expect and how to navigate the process.
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

Inheriting a House That’s Paid Off: What You Need to Know!

  • August 12, 2024
  • Less than a minute
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
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
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
Court Ordered Sale of Estate Lands Ends 30-Year Dispute Among Heirs | Property Pitfalls | Real Estate | Family Disputes | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

Court Ordered Sale of Estate Lands Ends 30-Year Dispute Among Heirs

  • October 3, 2024
  • 1 minute read
Load More

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

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
Story Submissions

We know, this can be a very sensitive topic. If you have a personal story or a cautionary tale —a link to a specific article, blog post, or recommended resource that you found particularly helpful in your own estate planning and administration journey— anonymous submissions are welcomed and encouraged.

Share Your Story