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  • Legacy Lexicon
While having an estate plan in place to provide for your possible incapacity and death is important, many people also look for a way to pass down their knowledge, values and memories. This can be done through a non-legal document called an Ethical Will... 11 Aug
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Curated Content, Related Resources

Creating an Ethical Will: a Legacy Letter for Your Loved Ones

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

A "letter of wishes" can also be known as a memorandum of wishes, a precatory memorandum, an expression of wishes, or a letter of intent. It serves as a non-binding document to provide guidance to executors and trustees regarding the administration of an estate or trust.  02 Sep
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Generated Content, Legacy Lexicon

Letter of Wishes: Common Synonyms & Primary Use Cases

While a letter of wishes is not legally binding, it can still serve as a useful tool and an added “personal touch” to an estate plan, offering clarity on decisions, ensuring wishes are understood and guiding those involved in the administration of the estate. 22 Aug
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Curated Content, Related Resources

The Letter of Wishes: A Personal Touch to Your Estate Plan

Following the death of Ozzy Osbourne, headlines turned to an alleged change to his will, in which Ozzy stipulated that his widow, Sharon, is to receive a dozen black roses a week for the rest of her life... 14 Aug
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Celebrity Estates, Curated Content

Ozzy Osbourne’s “Black Roses” Request

Learn how to handle an estate dispute under Canadian law. This guide will help you understand the grounds for disputing a will and its effect on the division of assets. 22 Jul
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Curated Content, Related Resources

Canadian Guide to Understanding the Grounds for Disputing a Will

This article will discuss three of the main types of IP rights in Canada and explore why having a will is essential for dealing with IP after death and for safeguarding IP assets for future generations. 28 Jan
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Common Mistakes, Curated Content

Estate Planning For Intellectual Property Protection

The terms "advance care plan" and "living will" are often used interchangeably in Canada, but there are important distinctions between these two healthcare planning documents. Understanding these differences is crucial for making informed decisions about your future medical care. 24 Jan
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Curated Content, Frequently Asked Questions

Advance Care Plans vs. Living Wills in Canada: What are the Differences?

How to Build an Exceptional Estate Plan 10 Aug
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Curated Content, Related Resources

Resources: How to Build an Exceptional Estate Plan

A memorandum or letter of wishes is a document containing an expression of wishes to your executors and beneficiaries, providing guidance on how you would like your estate to be administered. It is not a Will. 17 Jun
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Curated Content, Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Memorandum or Letter of Wishes?

A Letter of Wishes is an important document and we would usually recommend writing one when setting up a trust or writing a Will which contains trust provisions. They should be updated when circumstances change and reviewed on a regular basis. 25 Feb
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Curated Content, Related Resources

Letter of Wishes: What You Need to Know

10 of The Strangest Wills of All Time | Curated Content | Strange Tales | Inheritance Horror Stories | Estates Gone Wrong 25 Aug
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Bizarre Bequests, Curated Content

Roundup: 10 of The Strangest Wills of All Time

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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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