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  • Legacy Lexicon
Landmark Supreme Court of Canada decision, from 1991, established principles for proving undue influence in trust cases: the Geffen v. Goodman family and trust estate dispute... 28 Aug
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Family Disputes, Generated Content

Landmark Supreme Court of Canada Decision: Undue Influence

This guide breaks down what you need to know about estate tax rules in California, dispels common myths and outlines advanced strategies that can help you take advantage of current laws while planning confidently for the future. 21 Aug
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Curated Content, Tax-Smart Strategies

Estate Tax Planning Strategies for California Residents

It is important to understand the limited purpose and necessity behind 'Net Family Property' clauses. They are not a catchall for sheltering and protecting the inheritance of a divorcing beneficiary, although they usually have the appearance of trying to achieve this objective. 12 Aug
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Curated Content, Property Pitfalls

Understanding the ‘Net Family Property’ Exclusion Clause: Ontario

Are you planning to leave real estate to a loved one under your Will? Do you want that property to be transferred free of debt or other claims? Language matters! 08 Aug
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Curated Content, Property Pitfalls

Navigating Bequests of Real Estate: Language Matters!

Huntington Hartford II, heir to the A&P grocery fortune, experienced a significant financial decline due to a series of failed ventures and lavish spending habits, ultimately leading to bankruptcy.  08 Aug
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Generated Content, Squandered Fortunes

Heir to A&P Grocery Fortune Forced to File for Bankruptcy

The recently passed One Big Beautiful Bill Act brings major changes to the U.S. tax system and some of those changes create important estate planning opportunities for Canadians who own property or investments in the United States. 05 Aug
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Curated Content, Tax-Smart Strategies

U.S. Estate Tax Planning for Canadians with Cross-Border Assets

A Cautionary Tale in Will Drafting and Limitation Periods... When Does the Clock Start Ticking? 28 Jul
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Curated Content, Related Resources

A Cautionary Tale in Will Drafting and Limitation Periods

Recent Ontario Court of Appeal ruling reaffirms the modern cost approach in estate litigation: trustees who fail in their duties may not only be removed but may also bear the personal financial burden of their choices. 22 Jul
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Communication Breakdowns, Curated Content

Personal Liability for Costs Due to Breach of Fiduciary Duty: Ontario

Leona Helmsley’s decision to leave her dog, Trouble, $12 million drew legal challenges, media scrutiny, and lasting debate about her legacy. 19 Jul
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Bizarre Bequests, Curated Content

Leona Helmsley: The Woman Who Made Her Dog a Millionaire

The Vanderbilt family's spectacular rise and devastating fall represents America's most dramatic example of how even the greatest fortunes can vanish within generations... 19 Jul
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Curated Content, Squandered Fortunes

The Vanderbilts Who Lost Everything (Documentary)

Many family farms are comprised of large, valuable parcels of farmland that have been passed down through generations. This blog post highlights why family farm operations are uniquely susceptible to estate battles. 18 Jul
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Curated Content, Family Disputes

Family Farm Operations: Uniquely Susceptible to Estate Disputes

Leaving a cherished family home to your children might seem like a loving and generous gesture, but —without proper planning— it can quickly become a source of conflict and stress. 01 Jul
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Curated Content, Property Pitfalls

Leaving Property to Multiple Heirs: a Recipe for Family Conflict

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Recent:

Long-Term Care (LTC) is expensive, unpredictable and often prolonged. The projected “great wealth transfer” may therefore become far more concentrated among families who are wealthy enough to absorb years of care costs without exhausting their assets.

US Long-Term Care Costs ‘Eating into’ Family Wealth

Have Canadian boomers saved enough for retirement? It doesn't seem like it... And the numbers suggest this isn’t just a handful of unlucky families. It’s a structural problem with how an entire generation approached retirement.

Why Canadian Kids Are Bailing Out Boomer Parents

A handshake promise to leave the family farm can legally override a written will in New South Wales. The legal mechanism is equitable estoppel, and courts have enforced it in farm succession disputes where the evidence is strong enough.

NSW Inheritance Law: Can a Verbal Promise Override a Will?

Washington Post analysis finds that the "great wealth transfer" narrative is largely a story about the very top of the income distribution. For many in the middle, retirement savings are being consumed by care costs, not passed on.

Cost of Eldercare Obliterating Expected Inheritance

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