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  • Legacy Lexicon
Undue influence is not mere persuasion or advice. It requires coercive elements that override the testator’s free will. Courts look for a combination of susceptibility, opportunity, and improper pressure that causes the vulnerable person to act contrary to their true wishes. 27 Nov
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Curated Content, Related Resources

Proving or Disproving “Undue Influence” in Court

There are many people who have an estate plan but haven’t taken the initiative to talk about it with their loved ones. These “conversation cues” can help your family have heartfelt and constructive estate-planning discussions. 11 Nov
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Curated Content, Related Resources

Conversation Cues For Constructive Estate Planning Discussions

05 Nov
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Beneficiary Rights, Curated Content

Understanding the Rights of Beneficiaries in Estate Litigation

This article explains exactly what a letter of wishes is, why you need one, what to include, and how to write one that truly reflects your intentions. 04 Nov
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Curated Content, Related Resources

How & Why To Write a Letter of Wishes: UK Guide

It’s one thing to talk about the importance of succession planning. It’s another to see the transformation happen in real families, businesses, and lives. Here are real-world lessons from business-owning families who faced the fire—and came through stronger. 31 Oct
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Curated Content, Succession Lessons

Family Business Succession: Lessons Learned from Real Families

Several legitimate strategies exist for minimizing or avoiding capital gains tax on inherited property in Canada. Understanding these options helps preserve family wealth across generations. 29 Oct
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Curated Content, Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Avoid Capital Gains Tax on Inherited Property in Canada?

Whether driven by retirement, a desire for simplicity, or changing health needs, the act of downsizing is a profound life event. It requires a conscious and often difficult act of letting go, confronting the unspoken weight of what we choose to leave behind. 27 Oct
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Curated Content, Related Resources

Downsizing Guide: Mastering The Difficult Act of Letting Go

Preparedness is key. With clear instructions and all assets accounted for, the transfer itself can be smooth, allowing loved ones to focus on grieving and honoring your memory. Here's what you should do now to best position your heirs for success. 26 Oct
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Curated Content, Related Resources

How To Guide Your Heirs Through The Great Wealth Transfer

The probate process can vary significantly from one state to another, reflecting local laws, customs, and practices. Here is a quick guide to understanding state-specific probate laws and procedures... 25 Oct
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Curated Content, Frequently Asked Questions

Does The Probate Process Vary from State-to-State?

An estate tax is levied on the deceased's estate, while an inheritance tax is paid by heirs subject to the tax (spouses are usually exempt). Over a dozen states currently impose estate or inheritance taxes. Find out where you’ll have to pay... 24 Oct
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Curated Content, Tax-Smart Strategies

2025 Update: States with Scary Estate & Inheritance Taxes

When someone dies owing more money than their estate contains, the situation becomes an insolvent estate. Understanding the laws governing insolvent estates is crucial for anyone appointed as an estate trustee. 23 Oct
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Curated Content, Related Resources

Complete Guide to Understanding Insolvent Estates in Ontario

In a perfect world, trustees would never abuse their position for personal gain, but it is an unfortunately an all-too-common occurrence. Learn more in this "Ultimate Guide to Trustee Malfeasance"... 23 Oct
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Curated Content, Related Resources

Ultimate Guide to Understanding “Trustee Malfeasance”

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Long-Term Care (LTC) is expensive, unpredictable and often prolonged. The projected “great wealth transfer” may therefore become far more concentrated among families who are wealthy enough to absorb years of care costs without exhausting their assets.

US Long-Term Care Costs ‘Eating into’ Family Wealth

Have Canadian boomers saved enough for retirement? It doesn't seem like it... And the numbers suggest this isn’t just a handful of unlucky families. It’s a structural problem with how an entire generation approached retirement.

Why Canadian Kids Are Bailing Out Boomer Parents

A handshake promise to leave the family farm can legally override a written will in New South Wales. The legal mechanism is equitable estoppel, and courts have enforced it in farm succession disputes where the evidence is strong enough.

NSW Inheritance Law: Can a Verbal Promise Override a Will?

Washington Post analysis finds that the "great wealth transfer" narrative is largely a story about the very top of the income distribution. For many in the middle, retirement savings are being consumed by care costs, not passed on.

Cost of Eldercare Obliterating Expected Inheritance

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