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Worried a beneficiary will blow —or even just simply mismanage— their inheritance? Ontario wills can include spendthrift trusts with staggered distributions and trustee control. This article explains the main options... 30 Jun
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Curated Content, Squandered Legacies

Worried Their Inheritance May Do ‘More Harm Than Good’?

Spendthrift trusts help ensure that beneficiaries can’t squander their inheritance. They can also serve to protect assets from creditors. Rather than allowing the beneficiary to receive a lump sum, the trustee releases the money incrementally. 07 Aug
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Curated Content, Legacy Lexicon

Spendthrift Trusts: What Are They and How Do They Work?

Greed and Conflict Among Siblings in Inheritance Matters | Curated Content | Family Disputes | Estates Gone Wrong 30 Jun
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Curated Content, Family Disputes

Greed & Conflict Among Siblings in Inheritance Matters

For a loved one struggling with an addiction, a direct inheritance could be dangerous. However, disinheriting an addicted adult child is NOT the only option. Thankfully, there is an alternative estate planning solution available. 12 Mar
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Curated Content, Related Resources

Before You Disinherit a Loved One Struggling with Addiction…

The future is unknowable, but centering your plan on your values and communicating regularly with your fiduciary and your family will set your family on the path to success. 04 Mar
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Curated Content, Life Events

Resilient Estate Planning in The Face of Unexpected Life Events

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. 07 Feb
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Curated Content, Frequently Asked Questions

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

The legal dispute between Danny Bennett, the eldest son of Tony Bennett, and his sisters, Antonia and Johanna Bennett, has intensified in court. 16 Jan
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Celebrity Estates, Curated Content

Tony Bennett’s Kids in Legal Battle: Estate & Trust Dispute

"Selling Superman" is a 4-part documentary that explores a 40-year family secret involving a collection of comic books, including a highly valued Superman #1 comic worth over $3.5 million.  16 Oct
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Dramatized Content, Unique Assets & Interests

Selling Superman | 4-Part Documentary | 2024

My mom, 65, inherited $450K when my dad died — but now she’s hooked on slots and burning through the cash. How can I protect our family’s assets before it’s too late? 27 Sep
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Curated Content, Squandered Legacies

My Mom Inherited $450k: Now She’s ‘Hooked on Slots’

Incorporating tools and strategies into your estate plan to mitigate a beneficiary’s spendthrift habits is vital to protect both the beneficiary and your assets. 21 Mar
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Curated Content, Squandered Legacies

Estate Planning Strategies for Managing a Spendthrift Beneficiary

It’s hard to know how much of Barbara Hutton’s tragic life was caused by her early inheritance. But her story still can be useful to help spare children and grandchildren the irreversible damage caused by too much money at too early an age. 14 Feb
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Curated Content, Squandered Legacies

The Woolworth Misfortune: How Not To Provide For Heirs

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. 04 Jun
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Communication Breakdowns, Curated Content

Woman Dies Homeless Unaware of $800k Inheritance

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A will is intended to provide clear instructions about the distribution of a person’s property after death. But what happens when an important clause is missing? This recent Ontario court case is a useful reminder of the difficulties that can arise...

What Happens When a Will is Missing an Important Clause?

In many cases, an executor’s first instinct is not to call a lawyer. It is to ask Google. The problem? Google can provide thousands of answers, many of which are incomplete, inaccurate, or based on another jurisdiction. Executors need practical guidance tailored to the particular estate they are administering.

Cautionary Guidance for Executors: Google at Your Own Risk!

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