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  • Estates Gone Wrong
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  • Legacy Lexicon
If you have a spouse or partner, and either of you has children from an earlier relationship, your estate needs more thought than a standard will gives it. 07 Aug
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Curated Content, Related Resources

Estate Planning for Blended Families in Canada

Scott Foley plays a widowed father of three in "It's Not Like That" on Amazon Prime Video— It is a fictional story, but the legal and financial situation it depicts affects hundreds of thousands of Canadian families every year... 20 May
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Dramatized Content, Guardian Safeguards

4 Estate Planning Steps Every Canadian Parent Must Take

Absence of a clear and well-structured will often leads to protracted and costly legal disputes, straining relationships. Take steps, now, to ensure your will is "contest-proof"... 13 Apr
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Curated Content, Related Resources

Eliminating Ambiguity: Steps to Ensure Your Will is “Contest-Proof”

Without the right legal documents, even your closest family member can’t access your accounts, talk to your doctors or make decisions on your behalf. Here are the five “Must-Have Documents” that protect your independence. 28 Mar
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Curated Content, Related Resources

Estate Planning Documents Suze Orman Says Single Women Need

This article explains why failing to designate a guardian for minor children is a common but serious oversight, how the legal process works in its absence, and why the consequences tend to emerge only in moments of crisis. 24 Mar
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Common Mistakes, Curated Content

Common Mistake: Failing to Name a Guardian for Minor Children

If you have minor children, not having a Will in Quebec is not just unfortunate— it's a failure of planning: a recurring and avoidable mess. 12 Mar
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Curated Content, Related Resources

Québec: Why You Need a Will to Protect Your Minor Children

Several life events stand out as clear signals that financial guidance should move to the top of the to-do list... Don’t wait until things feel complicated. 08 Mar
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Curated Content, Life Events

Life Events That Should Trigger a Call for Financial Guidance

Second marriages and blended families don’t have to mean complicated or risky outcomes. With the right planning, you can protect everyone's interests and reduce the risk of disputes. Seeking legal advice early is essential... 01 Feb
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Curated Content, Life Events

Second Marriages: Seeking Legal Advice Early is Essential

What if a corporation held legal control over your entire life — and nobody told you? That is the actual premise of The Truman Show. The 82 Toothpicks Podcast sat down with this 1998 Jim Carrey classic and found it packed with estate planning questions. 16 Jan
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Dramatized Content, Guardian Safeguards

Estate Planning Lessons from The Truman Show

This article explains the legal framework for inheritances for minors in Ontario. It covers management options, practical considerations, and key steps for protecting a minor beneficiary's interests... 08 Jan
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Curated Content, Related Resources

Understanding & Managing Inheritance for Minors in Ontario

You only have so many hours in the day, days in a week, or patience in being pulled in different directions. Being proactive may seem like extra work now, but it will pay dividends— plan ahead, and the journey will be much smoother. 05 Sep
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Curated Content, Related Resources

Balancing End-of-Life Planning for Your Aging Parents and for Yourself

What happens when parents don’t choose guardians properly? The courts step in. Your children become part of a legal process instead of seamlessly transitioning to the loving family member you had in mind. Understanding the legal framework will help you make better decisions for your family. 21 Aug
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Curated Content, Guardian Safeguards

Complete Guide to Choosing a Guardian in Ontario

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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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