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... 26 Jun

What Happens When An Estate Executor Becomes Incapable?

Paris Jackson has gone public with allegations that the longtime trustees of her late father’s estate have been misappropriating funds and mismanaging one of the most valuable entertainment empires in history. 08 May

Jackson Estate: Is Michael’s Daughter Receiving Terrible Advice?

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. 20 Apr

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.  20 Apr

Feud Over Family-Owned 80-Acre Winery Turns Sour

If you're named as a beneficiary, you generally don't have to share — but intestacy rules, will contests, and tax consequences can complicate things. 05 Apr

Does a Beneficiary Have to Share Inheritance with Siblings?

Cross-border capacity and guardianship issues are becoming increasingly common as families, assets, and caregiving arrangements span jurisdictions. 27 Mar

Cross-Border Guardianship: Capacity Case Spans Jurisdictions

While courts are generally reluctant to interfere with a testator’s choice of estate trustee, that choice will be overridden where it is necessary to ensure the proper, efficient, and impartial administration of the estate. 23 Mar

Feuding Siblings Replaced By Neutral Third-Party Estate Trustee

Whether you own a cottage, a family home, or any other high-value asset, working with an experienced estate lawyer to craft clear, specific, and regularly updated instructions is not just good practice — it is essential. 22 Mar

Why Cottage Estates Are a Breeding Ground for Family Conflict

When valid, no contest clauses can be a powerful tool for discouraging estate litigation. Typically, these clauses threaten to disinherit beneficiaries who challenge the validity of the testator’s final will... 18 Mar

Can a Beneficiary Be Disinherited Over a Successful Litigation?

"Some businesses remain in the family. Others do not. Business owners might muse about succession within the family unit. However, musings do not always give rise to enforceable promises." 04 Mar

Succession Planning for a Family Business Can Be Tricky

A recent decision of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice provides a stark reminder that unsuccessful litigants—particularly those who advance self-interested claims—may be ordered to pay millions of dollars in costs personally. 27 Feb

Ontario Beneficiary Held Personally Liable for Legal Costs

Administering an estate can be challenging at the best of times. But what happens if a beneficiary simply refuses to engage, leaving the estate stuck for years? 27 Jan

An Estate Stuck in Limbo: Beneficiary Refuses to Engage