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
America's Elder Care Crisis is Here— And We're Not Ready | Long-Term Care | Elder Care | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Long-Term Care Crisis

America’s Elder Care Crisis is Here & We’re Not Ready

  • December 15, 2023
  • 1 minute read
Yes, the statistics may be grim. But just because most wealthy families see their fortunes evaporate within a couple of generations does not mean yours will. Here are some strategies to avoid it...
Curated Content Squandered Fortunes

Most Kids from Wealthy Families Squander their Inheritance

  • June 17, 2015
  • 2 minutes read
This guide explores how to manage and distribute valuable collections during estate settlement, including legal considerations, valuation techniques, and strategies for avoiding conflicts.
Curated Content Unique Collectibles

Valuable Collections During Estate Settlement: Handle with Care

  • January 9, 2025
  • 1 minute read
This guide explains—in plain language—how the Long‑Term Care Rate Reduction Program works and how it can help lower your monthly bill.
Curated Content Long-Term Care Crisis

Reducing the Cost of Long-Term Care in Ontario

  • July 3, 2025
  • 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
Digital Assets: Ensuring Your Loved Ones Can Access Your Phone | Digital Distress | Online Accounts | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Digital Distress

Digital Assets: Ensuring Your Loved Ones Can Access Your Phone

Estate planning is more than a legal formality—it’s a vital process to safeguard your legacy and shield your loved ones from unexpected challenges. Even with the best intentions, without the right strategies and support, things can go off track.
Curated Content Related Resources

Webinar: The Importance of Comprehensive Estate Planning

Charity Awarded Over $1 Million After Will is Upheld | Curated Content | Charitable Bequests | Estates Gone Wrong
Charitable Misgivings Curated Content

Charity Awarded Over $1 Million After Will is Upheld

MAID in Canada refers to Medical Assistance in Dying, a legal health service allowing eligible individuals to receive assistance from a medical practitioner to end their life under specific circumstances defined by federal and provincial/territorial law. 
Generated Content Related Resources

MAID Canada: Eligibility Criteria and Legal Safeguards

For family-owned businesses, succession planning is especially important, as the business often represents both a significant financial asset and a key part of the family’s identity and legacy.
Curated Content Succession Lessons

Essential Estate Planning for Family-Owned Businesses

valuable lessons learned from

Communication Breakdowns
& Family Disputes

Executor —the deceased's son— transferred estate properties to himself and his brother without fair market value compensation. His conduct was deemed a significant conflict of interest: favouring certain beneficiaries over others.
Curated Content Family Disputes

Court Removes Deceased’s Son as Estate Executor for “Self-Dealing”

  • August 6, 2024
  • Less than a minute
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
Dramatized Content Family Disputes

The Inheritance | Limited Television Series | 2023

  • September 4, 2023
  • Less than a minute
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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
Clear communication, updated documents, and proactive estate planning can help families minimize disputes over inherited wealth.
Curated Content Family Disputes

How to Minimize Family Disputes Over Inherited Wealth

  • August 13, 2025
  • 1 minute read
On the Lookout: Nursing Home Negligence and Abuse | Long-Term Care | Elder Care | Power of Attorney | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Long-Term Care Crisis

On the Lookout: Nursing Home Negligence and Abuse

  • December 18, 2024
  • 1 minute read
Executor of a Family Estate? How to Avoid Infighting over Inherited Wealth | Curated Content | Family Disputes | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Family Disputes

Executor of a Family Estate? How to Avoid Infighting over Inherited Wealth

  • November 12, 2020
  • 1 minute read
Court Upholds Validity Of Wills Despite Claims Of Undue Influence | Recent ruling: The importance of assessing claims of undue influence within the context of deceased's broader relationships and intentions
Curated Content Family Disputes

Court Upholds Validity of Wills Despite Claims of Undue Influence

  • October 18, 2024
  • 1 minute read
Charitable Misgivings Curated Content

Charity Explains Why Dunfermline Church Plans Fell Through

  • January 25, 2024
  • 1 minute read
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
Addressing Common Communication Challenges in Estate Planning
Communication Breakdowns Curated Content

Addressing Common Communication Challenges in Estate Planning

  • June 10, 2024
  • 1 minute read
10 Costly Estate Planning Mistakes | Curated Content | Common Mistakes | Cautionary Tales | Inheritance Horror Stories | Estates Gone Wrong
Common Mistakes Curated Content

Top 10: Avoid These Costly Estate Planning Mistakes

  • March 16, 2023
  • Less than a minute
Taking the time to gather all the assets and have detailed information about each item goes a long way to helping everyone understand specifics and how this affects them. A BC case recently showcased why clear language is so important to minimize potential challenges to a Will.
Communication Breakdowns Curated Content

Oversight for Wills: Distributing Articles & Personal Effects

  • June 26, 2025
  • 1 minute read
This article breaks down the current LTC crisis, what the waitlists look like across Canada, and how seniors can stay protected at home during what may be a long and uncertain wait.
Curated Content Long-Term Care Crisis

Canada’s Long-Term Care (LTC) Waitlist Crisis

  • January 20, 2026
  • 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
Potential pitfalls associated with poor estate planning exposed as a detective investigates the death of the patriarch of a combative family.
Dramatized Content Family Disputes

Knives Out | American Mystery Film | 2019

  • September 7, 2019
  • Less than a minute
guardian safeguards + eldercare nightmares

The Importance of Planning for
Custody & Long-Term Care

Legal issues faced by the elderly population arise in almost all areas of legal practice; however, most commonly in real estate law, family law, human rights law, and wills and estates law.
Curated Content Long-Term Care Crisis

Power of Attorney & Estate Planning: Elder Law Canada

  • June 21, 2024
  • 1 minute read
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
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
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Helpful Tips + Reference Guides

Related Resources

Curated Content Related Resources

Estate Planning Strategies: 7 Common Uses for Trusts

  • September 18, 2023
  • 1 minute read
Read More
Unique assets often fall outside the typical scope of financial portfolios or real property, requiring specialized knowledge, valuation, and management.
Curated Content Related Resources

High Net Worth Estates: The Challenges of Unique Assets

  • January 6, 2025
  • Less than a minute
Read More
Creating an estate plan can protect your family’s finances. Learn why it is important for young families to get an early start on estate planning.
Curated Content Related Resources

Don’t Wait: Estate Planning for Young Families

  • June 20, 2025
  • 1 minute read
Read More
If you’re navigating grief and decision making, especially in the early aftermath of loss, this guide —"How to Make a Big Decision While Grieving"— is for you...
Curated Content Related Resources

Navigating Life After Loss: Making Big Decisions While Grieving

  • October 2, 2025
  • 2 minutes read
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Recent Posts

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?

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.
May 8, 2026

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

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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

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!”

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

The name John Seward Johnson probably means very little to you, but you’ve certainly know the company that Johnson’s father co-founded. That’s right – Johnson & Johnson, the maker of baby products we’ve all used for generations.
Curated Content Infamous Feuds

Disinherited Children: Battle Over The Johnson & Johnson Legacy

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

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

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

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

Controversial Prince Documentary Cancelled Over Estate Dispute
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Controversial Prince Documentary Cancelled Over Estate Dispute

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

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

Richard Simmons’ Estate: Family in Legal Battle with Housekeeper

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

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

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

Navigating the Evolving Landscape: Val Kilmer’s Digital Legacy

This article delves into the estates of five legendary individuals: Bob Ross, Stan Lee, Michael Jackson, Marilyn Monroe, and Paul Walker. These inheritance battles shed light on the significance of explicit planning for intellectual property.
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Legendary Lessons: Protecting Intellectual Property

Disney is one of the biggest media companies in the world, with an estimated net worth of nearly $130 billion. From a family-trust-fund feud to generous philanthropic endeavors, here's a look at the three generations of the Disney family.
Curated Content Infamous Feuds

Disney Family Feud as Heirs Battle for $400 Million Trust Fund

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

The Legacy of Bob Ross: Lessons in Succession Planning

The ongoing legal dispute within the Rothschild family over a stunning collection of art captures the intrigue surrounding one of the world’s most powerful families. As the case unfolds, the art world watches closely.
Curated Content Infamous Feuds

Rothschild Family Feud Erupts Over ‘Mini-Louvre’ Art Collection

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

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

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

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

Celebrity Estates Curated Content

What We Can Learn From Celebrity Estate Planning Gone Wrong

If Hendrix had even done a simple will that properly spelled out his wishes, a large amount of the litigation would have been avoided and it would have ensured that his wishes were followed.
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

The Estate of Jimi Hendrix: Decades of Drama & Costly Litigation

Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Lessons To Be Learned From Failed Celebrity Estates

Inside The Bitter Family Feuds of America’s Richest Billionaire Clans
Curated Content Infamous Feuds

Inside The Bitter Feuds of America’s Richest Families

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

real repercussions of inheriting real estate

Property Pitfalls

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
Canadian Inheritance Tax on Property: What You Should Know | Property Pitfalls | Real Estate | Capital Gains Tax | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

Canadian Inheritance Tax on Property: What You Should Know

  • February 16, 2025
  • 1 minute read
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
Avoid Estate Administration Surprises. Performing a title search on your property as part of your estate plan could save your heirs both money and hassle. 
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

Avoid Estate Administration Surprises: Perform a Title Search

  • October 26, 2024
  • 1 minute read
Even Canadians who don’t consider themselves snowbirds may own property south of the border or have other U.S. based assets that could impact their planning.
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

Snowbirds: Is Your Cross-border Property in Your Estate Plan?

  • January 2, 2024
  • Less than a minute
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
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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

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

66
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

34
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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