When a Charitable Bequest in a Will Goes Wrong | Curated Content | Charitable Bequests | Estates Gone Wrong
Charitable Misgivings Curated Content

When a Charitable Bequest in a Will Goes Wrong

  • November 1, 2022
  • 1 minute read
Most individuals consider purely domestic estate matters to be complex and challenging.  Add another country into the equation and the legal complexity quickly multiplies.
Curated Content Related Resources

Navigating Cross-Border & Multijurisdictional Estate Matters

  • March 19, 2025
  • 1 minute read
Guardianship and Conservatorship, while similar, serve different purposes. Understanding these roles is essential for planning for the future of loved ones who may need assistance.
Curated Content Guardian Safeguards

Guardianship and Conservatorship: Understanding the Differences

  • November 5, 2024
  • 1 minute read
Billionaire Family Feuds: The 7 Biggest Disputes
Curated Content Infamous Feuds

Billionaire Family Feuds: Seven High-Profile Disputes

  • April 26, 2024
  • Less than a minute
It is important to understand the limited purpose and necessity behind 'Net Family Property' clauses. They are not a catchall for sheltering and protecting the inheritance of a divorcing beneficiary, although they usually have the appearance of trying to achieve this objective.
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

Understanding the ‘Net Family Property’ Exclusion Clause: Ontario

  • August 12, 2025
  • 1 minute 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
Dive a little deeper into the most common questions that people are asking online about estates, probate, and the role of the executor... RBC's "Matters Beyond Wealth" podcast : Episode 54
Curated Content Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Being an Executor in Canada

If you’ve ever wondered whether your executor is prepared, whether your business could run without you, or whether your family is set up for clarity instead of conflict, this conversation will hit home.
Curated Content Related Resources

Canadian Wealth Secrets Podcast: “Why Your Will Is Not Enough”

Understanding the common mistakes that lead to in-family lawsuits can help you craft an estate plan that truly safeguards your legacy while minimizing conflict. Here are five mistakes that often cause families to end up in court.
Common Mistakes Curated Content

Five Estate Planning Mistakes That Trigger In-Family Lawsuits

Setting up a trust can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to several thousand, depending on factors like its complexity, legal assistance and administrative requirements.
Curated Content Frequently Asked Questions

How Much Does it Cost to Set Up a Trust?

Charitable Misgivings Curated Content

Charity Explains Why Dunfermline Church Plans Fell Through

valuable lessons learned from

Communication Breakdowns
& Family Disputes

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
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
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
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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
A single man is drawn into a custody battle with his mother. The judge ultimately has to decide who will be the best guardian for Mary.
Dramatized Content Guardian Safeguards

Gifted | Court Battle Over Guardianship | Drama Film | 2017

  • April 7, 2017
  • 1 minute read
Did you know that in 2022 the Bank of Canada (BoC) and a few large provinces had unclaimed bank accounts and estates totaling $1.8 billion dollars? That number keeps growing, despite the government’s best efforts to find the owners.
Communication Breakdowns Curated Content

Hidden Wealth: Unclaimed Assets & Accounts in Canada

  • March 2, 2025
  • Less than a minute
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
Estate planning has traditionally focused on tangible assets like real estate, bank accounts, and personal belongings. However, in a world increasingly reliant on technology, digital assets deserve the same level of attention.
Curated Content Digital Distress

Why Your Digital Assets Matter in Estate Planning

  • February 27, 2025
  • 1 minute read
Common Mistakes Curated Content

Top 10 Estate Planning Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

  • May 24, 2024
  • Less than a minute
While long-term care is often associated with the elderly, it can affect individuals of all ages due to various circumstances. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the different types of long-term care available and delve into how estate planning is affected by and should be considered for each type.
Curated Content Long-Term Care Crisis

Estate Planning & Long-Term Care: A Comprehensive Guide

  • January 31, 2025
  • 1 minute read
Five Famous Families Undermined by Sibling Conflict | Curated Content | Family Disputes | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Family Disputes

Five Famous Families Undermined by Sibling Conflict

  • June 29, 2022
  • 1 minute read
The UK is tackling its long-term care crisis through increased funding, leveraging technology, strengthening the social care workforce, and supporting informal carers.
Generated Content Long-Term Care Crisis

How is the UK Tackling its Long-Term Care Crisis?

  • September 22, 2025
  • 2 minutes read
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

  • August 7, 2019
  • 2 minutes read
A bitter £10 million legal dispute has erupted between a self-made couple and their son-in-law, tearing apart a family textiles business built from humble market stall beginnings over five decades.
Curated Content Family Disputes

Family Fabric Empire Torn Apart in Court Battle Over Inheritance

  • March 26, 2026
  • 1 minute read
Discussing your estate plan with your family may feel uncomfortable, but avoiding the conversation can create unnecessary confusion and conflict. Clear communication prevents misunderstandings and ensures your loved ones understand your intentions.
Communication Breakdowns Curated Content

How to Tactfully Discuss Your Estate Plan with Your Family

  • April 24, 2025
  • 2 minutes read
Dramatized Content Family Disputes

The Descendants | Comedy-Drama Film | 2011

  • September 10, 2011
  • 1 minute read
guardian safeguards + eldercare nightmares

The Importance of Planning for
Custody & Long-Term Care

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
Don't Let Denial Delay Long-Term Care Planning | Curated Content | Elder Care | Estate Planning | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Long-Term Care Crisis

Don’t Let Denial Delay Long-Term Care Planning

  • August 27, 2024
  • 1 minute read
Signs and Symptoms of Caregiver Stress and Burnout
Curated Content Guardian Safeguards

Signs and Symptoms of Caregiver Stress and Burnout

  • January 16, 2025
  • 1 minute read
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Helpful Tips + Reference Guides

Related Resources

Executors have a duty to notify beneficiaries of their entitlement under an estate, but what happens if a beneficiary can’t be easily identified or found?
Curated Content Related Resources

Missing Beneficiaries: What Executors Need to Know

  • March 14, 2022
  • 1 minute read
Read More
This handbook is for those who have been appointed an executor (now called an “estate trustee”) in Ontario. Read further for excerpts from "How to Administer an Estate in Ontario: Plain Language Handbook", available on Amazon...
Curated Content Related Resources

How to Administer an Estate in Ontario: Plain Language Handbook

  • September 1, 2020
  • 1 minute read
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Dealing with estate administration delays due to mismanagement or misconduct? Learn more about executor conflicts, how to prevent them, and what your rights are as a beneficiary...
Curated Content Related Resources

Executor Conflicts: Common Estate Disputes in Ontario

  • February 18, 2026
  • Less than a minute
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This guide walks you through the entire probate application process—from determining whether you need probate at all, to submitting your application, to receiving your grant.
Curated Content Related Resources

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Apply for Probate in the UK

  • December 19, 2025
  • Less than a minute
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Recent Posts

Not planning your life around legacy? You're not alone. A growing wave of single and child-free retirees is unapologetically putting their own needs first. Don't forget to protect yourself by planning for the "What Ifs"...
July 17, 2026

No Heirs? Protect Yourself, Before You ‘Blow Your Nest Egg’!

The Court of Appeal recently released a decision dismissing appeals against conviction of a former Toronto police officer who fabricated the last will and testament of Heinz Siegfried Sommerfeld to benefit the police officer.
July 15, 2026

Consequences of ‘Stealing’ an Estate: Ontario Fraudulent Will Case

Estate planning is about making sure the people you love aren’t handed a legal and financial mess on the worst day of their lives. None of these steps are complicated, and most can be started this month. The only truly expensive option is waiting.
July 15, 2026

5 Estate Planning Steps Canadians Delay The Most

Talking with family about estate planning is one of the most loving conversations you can have. Because it’s so important to have these conversations, here are six key things to keep in mind when discussing estate planning with your loved ones...
July 13, 2026

6 Tips to Help You Talk to Your Family About Estate Planning

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Infamous Feuds + Celebrity Estates

Cautionary Tales

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

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

Richard Simmons’ Estate: Family in Legal Battle with Housekeeper

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

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’

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

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

The Menendez Estate: What Happened to the Money?

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

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

Foreman established a distinctive personal legacy marked by a large blended family and a multimillion-dollar estate. His unique family dynamic highlights the importance of proper estate planning: crucial when managing multiple heirs, complex family relationships, and shared family names.
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

George Foreman’s Legacy: Lessons for Complex Blended Families

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!”

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”

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

The Legacy of Bob Ross: Lessons in Succession Planning

As AI technology advances, Hollywood faces new challenges regarding posthumous performances. The rights to a deceased actor's likeness depend on state laws, contracts, and estate management, making AI recreations a legal gray area.
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

AI Resurrecting Deceased Actors: Laws Must Keep Pace

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

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

Heirs to an iconic fortune sought out a wealth manager who would assuage their progressive consciences. Now their dispute is exposing dynastic secrets...
Curated Content Infamous Feuds

Getty Trust Issues: Dispute Exposed Family Secrets

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

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?

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

Inside Billionaire Rupert Murdoch’s Family Trust Battle

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

This video unpacks the 2024 court case involving Zong Qinghou's heirs, the $1.8 billion trust dispute, and the clash between Zong Fuli and three U.S.-based claimants.
Curated Content Infamous Feuds

Wahaha’s Inheritance Battle: Family Feud & Trust Dispute

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

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

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”

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

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

Few narrative devices expose human venality with the precision of inheritance theft. This collection of ten films rigorously examines the subgenre to explore the psychological and legal intricacies of usurped fortunes.
Dramatized Content Infamous Feuds

Estate Disputes & Inheritance Theft Themes Explored in 10 Films

real repercussions of inheriting real estate

Property Pitfalls

There can be sentimental reasons to keep inherited real estate, but —unless you plan to use the property personally— you should ask yourself: would you buy that real estate with an equivalent amount of cash?
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

Inheriting Real Estate: Ask Yourself “Would You Buy it?”

  • March 17, 2025
  • 1 minute read
Millions of US boomers are refusing to give their $84 trillion in real estate, wealth away to their adult kids — here’s why and what it means for the US economy
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

US Boomers Reassessing Priorities: Impact on Future Homeownership

  • February 12, 2025
  • 2 minutes read
The right planning can ensure you pass down your home without your kids facing large tax liabilities. Here's a simple guide to how it works...
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

How to Leave Property to Your Kids Tax-Free

  • September 10, 2025
  • Less than a minute
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
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
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

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

50
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

56
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

54
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