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  • Estates Gone Wrong
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  • Related Resources
  • Legacy Lexicon
As you navigate your necessary estate planning decisions, here are a few crucial mistakes plenty of people make, but that you'll want to avoid. 15 May
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Common Mistakes, Curated Content

Safeguard Your Legacy: Don’t Make These Costly Mistakes!

If you’ve been named a beneficiary of an estate, it’s essential to understand an executor’s powers and limitations. Knowing what an executor can and cannot do will help you identify potential misconduct and protect your inheritance. 13 May
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Beneficiary Rights, Curated Content

Every Beneficiary Should Know What an Executor Can and Cannot Do

Why Your Family Needs to Know About Your 'Digital Stash' 06 May
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Curated Content, Digital Distress

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

There can be benefits to gifting part of your estate during your lifetime (inter vivos), an increasingly popular wealth transfer option for Canadians. Before settling on this option, here’s what you’ll need to consider.  06 May
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Curated Content, Related Resources

Advantages of Gifting Assets During Your Lifetime: Inter Vivos

Passing down real estate to loved ones gets more complex when the property lies across international borders. Unlike domestic transfers, international real estate transfers involve navigating different legal systems, tax obligations, and reporting requirements. Luckily, there are legal structures and tax strategies that can minimize the complications and ensure that your property passes smoothly to your heirs. 02 May
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Curated Content, Property Pitfalls

How to Pass Down Real Estate Across Borders Without Tax Nightmares

This cautionary tale serves as a reminder of how important it is to carefully plan, draft, and update your Will with the help of an experienced advisor. Doing so can prevent misunderstandings and disputes, and ensure that your wishes are truly fulfilled. 28 Apr
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Communication Breakdowns, Curated Content

Will Interpretation: Alberta Court Decision Serves as Cautionary Tale

While a verbal promise generally won’t override a written will, there are a few specific situations where such promises could potentially carry legal weight... 23 Apr
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Curated Content, Frequently Asked Questions

Can a Verbal Promise Override a Written Will?

14 Unexpected Ways a Surprise Inheritance Can Complicate Your Life | Here's how to prepare yourself financially if you get an unexpected inheritance so you avoid costly missteps... 20 Apr
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Common Mistakes, Curated Content

Surprise! An Inheritance Can Complicate Your Life

If you are considering adding someone to the title of your home for estate planning purposes, it is essential to seek professional guidance in order to mitigate the risks of doing so... 16 Apr
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Curated Content, Property Pitfalls

How Using Joint Tenancy as an Estate Planning Tool Can Go Wrong

Navigating the complexities of taxes after death can be daunting, but it’s crucial for ensuring that your estate is managed effectively and your beneficiaries are protected. 12 Apr
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Curated Content, Tax-Smart Strategies

Navigating the Complexities of Taxes after Death in Canada

Central to this journey is the unwavering commitment to transparent communication... Although rife with complexity, estate administration can be navigated with sagacity and a judicious approach. 10 Apr
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Communication Breakdowns, Curated Content

Unwavering Commitment to Transparent Communication

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.  08 Apr
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Celebrity Estates, Generated Content

Aaron Spelling: Reasons Behind the ‘Unequal’ Estate Distribution?

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Recent:

With many estates being administered over extended periods —by older spouses, siblings, or peers— the risk that an executor becomes incapable is very real and foreseeable. Planning for incapacity at the drafting stage is key...

What Happens When An Estate Executor Becomes Incapable?

Navigating the legal maze of Canadian Estate Planning can be exceptionally daunting due to the recent enforcement of transparency mandates across all provinces. This article examines the structural steps required to successfully execute a family trust in Canada...

How To Set Up a Family Trust in Canada: 2026 Action Plan

Before you set up a living trust, make sure you’re positive that it’s the right tool for your particular situation. Learn more in this step-by-step guide to setting up a living trust in Canada…

How Do I Set Up a Living (Inter Vivos) Trust in Canada?

This article provides general information only. Estate administration rules and procedures vary across provinces and territories, and legal advice is recommended in most cases.

Estate Administration: Practical First Steps for Executors

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