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An executor has both authority and legal duty. With that comes potential risk. Acting without proper guidance can expose you to delays, disputes, or even personal liability. This article highlights the top five executor missteps and how to steer clear of them... 03 Aug
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Common Mistakes, Curated Content

Top 5 Mistakes Executors Make & How To Avoid Them: Ontario

Recent Ontario Court of Appeal ruling reaffirms the modern cost approach in estate litigation: trustees who fail in their duties may not only be removed but may also bear the personal financial burden of their choices. 22 Jul
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Communication Breakdowns, Curated Content

Personal Liability for Costs Due to Breach of Fiduciary Duty: Ontario

In Ontario, the term "executor" is now often replaced with "estate trustee" to more accurately reflect the fiduciary role they play in managing an estate. This change is not Canada-wide, but specific to Ontario's legal terminology.  21 Jul
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Generated Content, Legacy Lexicon

Executor vs. Estate Trustee: Ontario Specific Legal Terminology

Acting as an Estate Trustee can be challenging. It is important to appoint an individual who is responsible and reliable to fulfil this role as they have a fiduciary responsibility to the beneficiaries. 18 Jul
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Curated Content, Frequently Asked Questions

What is an Estate Trustee? What are their Responsibilities?

Estate Administration: The Biggest Mistakes Executors Make 04 Jul
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Common Mistakes, Generated Content

Biggest Mistakes Executors Make During Estate Administration

When a Will contains vague, contradictory, or incomplete instructions, it doesn’t just create paperwork headaches— it can ignite family disputes that last for years. 11 Jun
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Communication Breakdowns, Curated Content

What Really Happens When Wills Aren’t Clear?

Fiduciary Duty: Definition & Different Types Explained 25 May
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Curated Content, Legacy Lexicon

Fiduciary Duty: Definition & Different Types Explained

Even well-intentioned executors can make mistakes that lead to delays, legal issues, or personal liability. Here is a list common pitfalls in estate administration with tips on how to avoid them. By being aware of these, you can proactively take steps to stay on track and out of trouble. 21 May
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Common Mistakes, Curated Content

Common Estate Administration Pitfalls & How to Avoid Them

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

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

Real-life family drama surrounding media mogul Rupert Murdoch offers valuable succession lessons for business owners... 03 Apr
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Curated Content, Succession Lessons

Murdoch Family Drama Offers Valuable Succession Lessons

What rights do the beneficiaries of a will get and what does it mean for others involved in the administration of the estate? Find out what you need to know, as the executor of an estate... 21 Mar
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Beneficiary Rights, Curated Content

Executors: What Do Beneficiaries Have a Legal Right to Ask of You?

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Careers, families, and assets no longer fit neatly within a single jurisdiction... As lives become increasingly global, estate planning must reflect that reality.

Cross-Border Estate Planning Lessons from a Destination Wedding

When someone manipulates a vulnerable person into changing their estate plan, affected family members may challenge the documents based on undue influence.

Undue Influence: Proving Someone Manipulated an Estate Plan

Estate theft is a serious allegation that can have lasting consequences. Whether you’re pursuing a claim or defending against one, taking the right legal steps is critical in safeguarding the interests of the estate as well as your own.  

What to Do if You Suspect —or Have Been Accused of— Estate Theft

This episode of Financial Decoder explores inheritance from both perspectives: the person planning to pass on wealth and the heir receiving it.

Financial Decoder Podcast Examines “Both Sides of an Inheritance”

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