Choosing the right estate trustee —at the planning stage— can be one of the most important decisions a testator makes. This case serves as a cautionary tale of what can happen when an estate trustee fails to appreciate the seriousness of the role... 03 Jul

Cautionary Tale: When Poor Administration Comes at a Cost

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

Ontario Guide to Discretionary Trusts and Beneficiary Rights

A dramatic family feud over the inheritance of a prized Oregon winery has concluded with a landmark penalty for the misuse of artificial intelligence in court proceedings, exposing deep rifts between siblings and raising serious questions about legal ethics in the digital age. 20 Apr

Landmark Penalty for Misuse of Artificial Intelligence in Court

This dramatic feud over inheriting a family-owned winery drove a wedge between four siblings and led to a landmark penalty over the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in court.  20 Apr

Feud Over Family-Owned 80-Acre Winery Turns Sour

When someone manipulates a vulnerable person into changing their estate plan, affected family members may challenge the documents based on undue influence. 15 Apr

Undue Influence: Proving Someone Manipulated an Estate Plan

There has been a rise in disputes over estates, with many of the problems linked to outdated wills or the absence of any Will at all. Rise in Will disputes prompts warning to people in their 40s and 50s... 10 Apr

Rise in UK Estate Disputes: The Cost of Outdated Wills

A rightful inheritance can absolutely be stolen, and it happens more often than most people realize. Learn about the warning signs and what legal steps you can take to recover what's yours. 04 Apr

How Can You Tell if Someone is Trying to Steal Your Inheritance?

A bitter £10 million legal dispute has erupted between a self-made couple and their son-in-law, tearing apart a family textiles business built from humble market stall beginnings over five decades. 26 Mar

Family Fabric Empire Torn Apart in Court Battle Over Inheritance

Estate litigation lawyers across Canada are seeing a steady increase in undue influence estate disputes. Families are more frequently questioning whether a will truly reflects a loved one’s wishes or whether someone exerted pressure behind the scenes. 23 Mar

Steady Increase in Undue Influence Estate Disputes in Canada

Whether you own a cottage, a family home, or any other high-value asset, working with an experienced estate lawyer to craft clear, specific, and regularly updated instructions is not just good practice — it is essential. 22 Mar

Why Cottage Estates Are a Breeding Ground for Family Conflict

When valid, no contest clauses can be a powerful tool for discouraging estate litigation. Typically, these clauses threaten to disinherit beneficiaries who challenge the validity of the testator’s final will... 18 Mar

Can a Beneficiary Be Disinherited Over a Successful Litigation?

Estate law remains deeply jurisdiction-specific. How the law will recognize family relationships can easily differ across provincial lines. If you intend for someone to benefit from your estate, that intention must be expressed clearly. 13 Mar

Jurisdiction Matters: What Makes You a ‘Child’ in an Estate?