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

  • August 10, 2023
  • 2 minutes 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
Learn how to handle an estate dispute under Canadian law. This guide will help you understand the grounds for disputing a will and its effect on the division of assets.
Curated Content Related Resources

Canadian Guide to Understanding the Grounds for Disputing a Will

  • July 22, 2025
  • 1 minute read
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

  • July 6, 2023
  • 1 minute read
Trusts let you control how and when your assets are passed on. The stipulations you outline in the trust can help your beneficiaries use it wisely.
Curated Content Related Resources

Comprehensive Guide to the Many Different Types of Trusts

  • August 1, 2025
  • 1 minute read
Navigating probate in Canada requires careful planning and attention to provincial laws. Learn how to handle probate in Canada, including costs, processes, and asset exemptions.
Curated Content Related Resources

Your Complete Guide to Navigating Probate in Canada

  • December 3, 2024
  • 1 minute read
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?

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

Holding Assets & Accounts Jointly with Your Kids: Know the Risks
Common Mistakes Curated Content

Holding Assets & Accounts Jointly with Your Kids: Know the Risks

Many people think all handwritten wills are holographic wills. This is not correct. This guide breaks down the difference between holographic and handwritten wills, how they work, when they’re appropriate, and their legal requirements in Canada...
Curated Content Related Resources

Difference Between Holographic & Handwritten Wills in Canada

Your death will create emotional, legal, and financial challenges for your loved ones. Explore what NOT TO DO when planning your estate.
Common Mistakes Curated Content

What “NOT TO DO” When Planning Your Estate

valuable lessons learned from

Communication Breakdowns
& Family Disputes

Addressing Common Communication Challenges in Estate Planning
Communication Breakdowns Curated Content

Addressing Common Communication Challenges in Estate Planning

  • June 10, 2024
  • 1 minute read
Dramatized Content Family Disputes

The Inheritance | Limited Television Series | 2023

  • September 4, 2023
  • Less than a minute
The Lost Inheritance: A Cautionary Tale for Executors | Curated Content | Unclaimed Inheritance | Estates Gone Wrong
Communication Breakdowns Curated Content

The Lost Inheritance: A Cautionary Tale for Executors

  • October 24, 2023
  • 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
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
Predictions for the Future of AI in Estate Planning
Curated Content Digital Distress

Predictions for the Future of AI in Estate Planning

  • February 19, 2025
  • 1 minute read
Why Your Family Needs to Know About Your 'Digital Stash'
Curated Content Digital Distress

Why Your Family Needs to Know About Your ‘Digital Stash’

  • May 6, 2025
  • 2 minutes 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
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

  • June 10, 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
Curated Content Family Disputes

Litigation Over Lost Will Depletes ‘Very Modest’ Estate

  • August 30, 2024
  • 1 minute read
Ontario Court Ruling: Funds transferred to deceased's Daughter were "valid inter vivos gifts" and not subject to a resulting trust.
Curated Content Family Disputes

Court Rules in Favour of Daughter: the Validity of Inter Vivos Gifts

  • July 30, 2025
  • 1 minute read
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

  • May 16, 2023
  • Less than a minute
Charities named as beneficiaries are generally treated in the same way as an individual, save for tax considerations. They will want to be respectful of the Deceased’s wishes.
Charitable Misgivings Curated Content

Inheritance Disputes Over Charitable Giving: What to Expect

  • September 10, 2024
  • Less than a minute
Estate Planning for Adults with Special Needs
Curated Content Guardian Safeguards

Creating a Trust: Estate Planning for Adults with Special Needs

  • January 6, 2025
  • 1 minute read
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

  • April 1, 2025
  • 1 minute read
guardian safeguards + eldercare nightmares

The Importance of Planning for
Custody & Long-Term Care

5 Mistakes to Avoid When Naming a Guardian for Your Children
Curated Content Guardian Safeguards

5 Mistakes to Avoid When Naming a Guardian for Your

  • October 2, 2024
  • 1 minute read
After a selfish L.A. yuppie learns his estranged father left a fortune to an autistic-savant brother in Ohio that he didn't know existed, he absconds with his brother and sets out across the country, hoping to gain a larger inheritance.
Dramatized Content Guardian Safeguards

Rain Man | American Comedy-Drama Film | 1988

  • December 16, 1988
  • 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
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Helpful Tips + Reference Guides

Related Resources

Ontario Estate Court Forms Revamped: Key Changes You Need to Know
Curated Content Related Resources

Ontario Estate Court Forms Revamped: Key Changes

  • August 29, 2025
  • Less than a minute
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
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
For high-net-worth families in Canada, effective estate planning is the cornerstone of generational wealth. In this guide, we walk through foundational estate planning strategies —tailored for families with significant wealth— and how to use them to build a legacy that lasts.
Curated Content Related Resources

Legacy-Centered Approach for High-Net-Worth Families in Canada

  • June 5, 2025
  • Less than a minute
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Recent Posts

A dramatic family feud over the inheritance of a prized Oregon winery has concluded with a landmark penalty for the misuse of artificial intelligence in court proceedings, exposing deep rifts between siblings and raising serious questions about legal ethics in the digital age.
April 20, 2026

Landmark Penalty for Misuse of Artificial Intelligence in Court

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. 
April 20, 2026

Feud Over Family-Owned 80-Acre Winery Turns Sour

Careers, families, and assets no longer fit neatly within a single jurisdiction... As lives become increasingly global, estate planning must reflect that reality.
April 17, 2026

Cross-Border Estate Planning Lessons from a Destination Wedding

If you have a large estate, consider gifting during your lifetime as a strategy to help reduce estate taxes. Take the time to meet with a tax and estate planning professional to ensure your gift and estate plans are well thought out and properly implemented.
April 17, 2026

Lifetime Gifting Strategies: Ways to Give Assets Tax-Free

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Infamous Feuds + Celebrity Estates

Cautionary Tales

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’

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

Billionaire Family Feuds: Seven High-Profile Disputes

Six Estate Planning Mistakes Celebrities Made | Curated Content | Celebrity Estates | Estates Gone Wrong | A will isn't enough...
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Six Estate Planning Mistakes Celebrities Made

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

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

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

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

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 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

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”

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

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

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

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

These heiresses —Evalyn Walsh McLean, Catherine Tylney-Long, Christina Onassis, Barbara Hutton, and Barbara Baekland— learned that some prices are too high to pay, even when you can afford anything money can buy.
Curated Content Infamous Feuds

The Cursed Fortunes That Destroyed Their Heiresses

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

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

Richard Simmons’ Estate: Family in Legal Battle with Housekeeper

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

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 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

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

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

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 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

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

Following the death of Ozzy Osbourne, headlines turned to an alleged change to his will, in which Ozzy stipulated that his widow, Sharon, is to receive a dozen black roses a week for the rest of her life...
Celebrity Estates Curated Content

Ozzy Osbourne’s “Black Roses” Request

real repercussions of inheriting real estate

Property Pitfalls

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
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
Can You Avoid Impending Capital Gain on Your Family Cottage?
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

Can You Avoid Impending Capital Gain on Your Family Cottage?

  • June 5, 2025
  • 1 minute read
Renouncing an Inheritance: an Inherent Right | Inheriting a House | Property Pitfalls | Real Estate | Family Disputes | Estates Gone Wrong
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

Renouncing an Inheritance: an Inherent Right

  • June 18, 2024
  • 1 minute read
Leaving a cherished family home to your children might seem like a loving and generous gesture, but —without proper planning— it can quickly become a source of conflict and stress.
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

Leaving Property to Multiple Heirs: a Recipe for Family Conflict

  • July 1, 2025
  • 1 minute read
Curated Content Property Pitfalls

Estate Planning Should Not Wait: Lessons from “Howards End”

  • November 17, 2022
  • Less than a minute
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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

54
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

52
Fights Over Estates Can Tear Families Apart | Curated Content | Family Disputes | Inheritance Horror Stories | Estates Gone Wrong

Family Disputes

62
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

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

50
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