Skip to content
Browse All Posts
  • Estates Gone Wrong
  • Featured Topics
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Related Resources
  • Legacy Lexicon
  • Estates Gone Wrong
  • Featured Topics
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Related Resources
  • Legacy Lexicon
If you have a spouse or partner, and either of you has children from an earlier relationship, your estate needs more thought than a standard will gives it. 07 Aug
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Curated Content, Related Resources

Estate Planning for Blended Families in Canada

Navigating music rights and estate law simultaneously is incredibly complex. To manage a deceased musician's performance royalties in Ontario, executors must complete a strict legal transfer process... 23 Jun
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Curated Content, Unique Assets & Interests

Handling Musician’s Royalties in Ontario: Guide for Executors

Just received a large inheritance in Canada? Avoid the emotional decisions that turn a windfall into a cautionary tale, with this "7-Step Money Plan Before You Touch a Dollar (2026)" 03 Jun
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Curated Content, Related Resources

Before You Spend Your Inheritance: 7-Step Plan for Canadians

This "Estate Planning Documents Checklist" covers what your estate plan should include, and how to find out what you need in your state.  05 May
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Curated Content, Related Resources

Estate Planning Documents Checklist: State-by-State

Every inherited commercial property with tenants comes with lease obligations that transfer with the building, not with the person. The estate steps into the landlord role immediately. 21 Apr
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Curated Content, Property Pitfalls

Inherited Commercial Property with Tenants: Guide for Heirs & Executors

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"... 13 Apr
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Curated Content, Related Resources

Eliminating Ambiguity: Steps to Ensure Your Will is “Contest-Proof”

Planning your own funeral is an incredible act of love. If you don’t design and document your final wishes, your family will have to do so while mourning your death. 08 Sep
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Curated Content, Related Resources

How To Plan Your Own Funeral: 10-Step Guide & Checklist

Unlike a typical estate plan, musicians face unique considerations, especially when it comes to rights management, royalties, and long-term protection of their creative works. Here are essential estate planning steps every musician should take... 05 Aug
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Curated Content, Unique Assets & Interests

Protecting Your Legacy Off the Stage: Estate Planning for Musicians

No one ever plans to be sick or disabled. Yet, planning for the future can make all the difference in an emergency and at the end-of-life. Being prepared and having important documents in a single place can give you peace of mind, help ensure your wishes are honored, and ease the burden on your loved ones. 01 Aug
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Curated Content, Related Resources

Comprehensive Checklist: Getting Your Affairs in Order

This guide was created by the ALA Office of Research & Evaluation, and funded by the FINRA Investor Education Foundation. New books added June 13th, 2025... 13 Jun
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Curated Content, Related Resources

Financial Literacy in Public Libraries: Estate Planning Books

Some people have assets that go beyond the typical bank account or real estate. From art collections and livestock to firearms and royalty producing creative works, these types of assets can require special attention when creating an estate plan to ensure they are handled properly. 21 May
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Curated Content, Unique Assets & Interests

Unusual Assets Require Special Attention in Your Estate Plan

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia, it may be difficult to think beyond the day to day. However, taking steps now can help prepare for a smoother tomorrow. 01 May
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Curated Content, Related Resources

Decision-Making After a Dementia Diagnosis: Planning Ahead

  • 1
  • 2

Search

Topics:

  • Beneficiary Rights (28)
  • Bizarre Bequests (32)
  • Celebrity Estates (60)
  • Charitable Misgivings (32)
  • Common Mistakes (52)
  • Communication Breakdowns (46)
  • Digital Distress (58)
  • Family Disputes (69)
  • Guardian Safeguards (38)
  • Infamous Feuds (34)
  • Law Reform (38)
  • Life Events (32)
  • Long-Term Care Crisis (36)
  • Property Pitfalls (54)
  • Squandered Legacies (28)
  • Succession Lessons (42)
  • Tax-Smart Strategies (38)
  • Unique Assets & Interests (40)

Recent:

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!

Many people hear “executor” and think it means reading the will and writing a few checks. In reality, executors can face personal liability. Find out exactly what you're agreeing to, before you agree...

Agreeing To Serve As Executor: Not As Simple As It Sounds

Holograph wills and codicils are often viewed as a simple and inexpensive way to record testamentary wishes. Ironically, the very simplicity that makes holograph codicils attractive can also make them extraordinarily vulnerable...

Ontario Case Study: The Hidden Risks of a DIY Codicil

Story Submission

We know, this can be a very sensitive topic. If you have a personal story or a cautionary tale —a link to a specific article, blog post, or recommended resource that you found particularly helpful in your own estate planning and administration journey— anonymous submissions are welcomed and encouraged.

Share Your Story

Search:

Follow:

Explore:

Administration Canada Capacity Court Battles Court Rulings Debt Definitions Designations Eldercare End-of-Life Planning Estate Tax Executor Fiduciary Duty Glossary Guardianship Guide High Net Worth Industry Expert International Jurisdictions Law Reform Lawsuits Litigation Philanthropy Powers of Attorney Probate Professional Advisor Real Estate Resources Roles Siblings Statistics Strategies Succession Survivorship Tax Technology Terminology Testator Intent Transparency Trustee Trusts United States Vulnerable Adults Watchable
©estatesgonewrong.com