When a beneficiary refuses to cooperate during estate administration, it can delay the entire process and create significant problems for everyone involved. 22 Jan

Uncooperative Beneficiaries: Impact on Estate Administration

What if a corporation held legal control over your entire life — and nobody told you? That is the actual premise of The Truman Show. The 82 Toothpicks Podcast sat down with this 1998 Jim Carrey classic and found it packed with estate planning questions. 16 Jan

Estate Planning Lessons from The Truman Show

This article explains the legal framework for inheritances for minors in Ontario. It covers management options, practical considerations, and key steps for protecting a minor beneficiary's interests... 08 Jan

Understanding & Managing Inheritance for Minors in Ontario

Death and Taxes: In Canada, these two certainties collide in a particularly expensive way. Understand —and plan for— "deemed disposition"… before it's too late. 09 Dec

Understand & Plan For Deemed Disposition Before It’s Too Late

Being an executor doesn’t end when you hand out the last inheritance check. Your legal liability stretches far beyond the day you think you’re done, and the mistakes that trigger lawsuits aren’t always obvious when you’re making them. 28 Nov

Executor Personal Liability: Mistakes That Trigger Lawsuits

Trust distributions fall into two categories, and the difference is significant. Mandatory distributions versus discretionary distributions: the difference the trust document makes... 10 Nov

Trust Distributions: Mandatory vs Discretionary

It is generally unreasonable to expect an executor to work for free, or for less than the standard rate, given the considerable amount of work involved. For potential executors, clarity about compensation helps them make informed decisions about accepting the role. 04 Nov

Is it Reasonable for an Executor to Expect Compensation?

Trustees are legally obligated to act in the best interest of the beneficiaries. Aligning the trustee’s responsibilities with the best interests of the beneficiaries is a core principle of trust law. 21 Oct

Understanding the Basic Rights of Trust Beneficiaries

While Canada’s tax system doesn’t impose a traditional inheritance tax, estate taxes through capital gains, final income returns, and probate fees can still shrink inheritances dramatically. By leveraging these strategies, you can pass down more of your hard-earned wealth. 09 Oct

Tax-Smart Inheritance Strategies for Canadians

Being an executor is an important job and frankly, some people are going to be better at it than others. Avoid making a big mistake by heeding this advice from Patrick O’Brien, CEO and co-founder of Executor.org 03 Oct

Warning Signs That You’re Choosing The Wrong Executor

Estate disputes rarely arise from money alone. They are often triggered by conflicting instructions, unclear drafting, or overlooked provisions. The best protection is clarity, coordination, and regular review. 02 Oct

Ambiguous Wills: How Fragile an Estate Plan Can Become

One of the biggest estate planning mistakes you can make is failing to have Health and Financial Powers of Attorney. Protect your wishes. Select someone you trust implicitly to manage your affairs and make personal decisions on your behalf.  30 Sep

Why Powers of Attorney (POAs) are Crucial