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This article provides general information only. Estate administration rules and procedures vary across provinces and territories, and legal advice is recommended in most cases. 12 Jun
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Curated Content, Related Resources

Estate Administration: Practical First Steps for Executors

Handling digital assets during probate in Ontario presents a unique legal challenge. This guide outlines the legal and practical steps for executors to manage a modern digital estate. 11 Jun
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Curated Content, Digital Distress

Handling Digital Assets & Accounts During Ontario Probate

Administering an estate with overseas assets can quickly become complicated. Cross-border estates often involve multiple jurisdictions, different legal systems, and lengthy administration processes. 08 Jun
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Curated Content, Frequently Asked Questions

Cross-Border Estate Administration: Frequently Asked Questions

This guide explains who can be a beneficiary, the different types, the rights you hold as a beneficiary in Ontario, and the rules that decide what happens when something goes wrong. 21 May
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Beneficiary Rights, Curated Content

The Rights You Hold as a Beneficiary in Ontario

When New York Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the Medical Aid in Dying Act into law on Feb. 6, 2026, she included an unusual provision: patients requesting medical aid in dying must make an audio or video recording of their oral request... 21 May
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Curated Content, Law Reform

Medical Aid in Dying: New York State’s Unusual New Requirement

Discretionary trusts can be an effective way to provide for beneficiaries without granting them fixed entitlements. However, these structures can create uncertainty for beneficiaries... Understanding the legal framework is critical for both sides. 21 May
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Beneficiary Rights, Curated Content

Ontario Guide to Discretionary Trusts and Beneficiary Rights

What happens when the domestic tax rules of two different countries look at the same person and both conclude that the individual is a tax resident? 12 May
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Curated Content, Related Resources

Navigating Dual-Residency: Canada’s Tax Treaty Tie-Breakers

One widely shared social post says putting “everything you own” into a Trust could bypass probate, leaving more funds for your kids when passing on your estate. But that advice is far from universal. 12 May
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Curated Content, Frequently Asked Questions

Put “Everything in a Trust” to Bypass Probate: Is This Good Advice?

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

Only 6 US states currently impose an inheritance tax: Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Nebraska, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. This "State Inheritance Tax Guide 2026" provides rate tables and answers to frequently asked questions. 01 May
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Curated Content, Frequently Asked Questions

Which US States Still Impose an Inheritance Tax in 2026?

For individuals with cross-border estates, careful planning is essential. For Canadians with connections to European Union member states, this area of law has grown considerably more important... 27 Apr
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Curated Content, Related Resources

Canadians with European Assets: Whose Law Governs?

At what age is a child ready to inherit? It's a question many parents and grandparents ask, particularly when the child is still a young adult. 24 Apr
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Curated Content, Frequently Asked Questions

TD Wealth MoneyTalk: Is Your Child Ready To Inherit?

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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

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