A contingent beneficiary is a backup beneficiary who inherits assets if the primary beneficiary is unable to, for example, if they predecease you or are unable to accept the inheritance. You likely need a contingent beneficiary to ensure your assets are distributed as intended, even if your primary beneficiary can't receive them.  19 Mar

What is a Contingent (or Secondary) Beneficiary?

In estate planning, a beneficiary designation is the act of naming the person or entity who will inherit specific assets, like life insurance proceeds or retirement account balances, upon your death, bypassing the probate process.  18 Mar

Beneficiary Designations: Bypassing the Probate Process

Although still commonly used, in Ontario the term "probate" stopped being officially used on April 1, 1995 (no joke…). What is the process to obtain a Certificate of Appointment, with or without a will? This article answers some of the most common questions... 11 Mar

Frequently Asked Questions About Certificates of Appointment

While precise global statistics on inheritance disputes are limited, studies and reports from various regions indicate a noticeable rise in inheritance disputes worldwide, often attributed to factors like complex family structures, increased wealth, and more people opting for DIY wills without legal guidance.  03 Mar

Noticeable Rise in Inheritance Disputes Worldwide

Holding Assets & Accounts Jointly with Your Kids: Know the Risks 24 Feb

Holding Assets & Accounts Jointly with Your Kids: Know the Risks

Estate Planning Services: Has the AI Revolution Arrived? 13 Feb

Estate Planning Services: Has the AI Revolution Already Arrived?

Who inherited Jimi Hendrix’s estate? The answer is more complicated than many might assume. This article explores the distribution of his fortune, the legal disputes that followed, and who ultimately controls his estate today... 06 Feb

Legendary Legal Battle: The Heavily Contested Estate of Jimi Hendrix

Courts could use artificial intelligence (AI) to speed up probate, but digitizing documents and training a new AI model is labour intensive. 04 Feb

Could AI Speed Up Uncontested Probate Applications?

Beneficiaries of an estate often want to know how long they should expect to wait to receive their share of the estate. Unfortunately, there is no simple answer to this question, as the timeline can vary considerably depending on the specific circumstances of the estate. 04 Feb

How Long Does an Executor Have to Distribute Funds to Beneficiaries?

When Inheritance Divides: The Strain of Sibling Disputes Over Estate Debts 31 Jan

The Strain of Sibling Disputes Over Estate Debts: a Cautionary Tale

What are the Most Common Factors Contributing to Inheritance Disputes? 28 Jan

What Causes Inheritance Disputes? Can They Be Avoided?

Everything You Need To Know About Probate in Canada | While it’s not you who handles probate—rather, it’s your executor who handles it after you pass away—it’s important to understand why having a will makes probate easier. 17 Jan

Everything You Need To Know About Probate in Canada