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  • Legacy Lexicon
Although television and movies are entertaining with their conflicts and cliffhangers, your estate plan should not be as entertaining. 28 Oct
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Communication Breakdowns, Curated Content

Probate & Trust Administration: Dramatic Misconceptions

Preserving your legacy and passing on generational wealth is a cornerstone of financial and estate planning. But it doesn’t always pan out. There is much to learn from ultra-rich families who lose everything after passing on their wealth... 26 Oct
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Curated Content, Squandered Fortunes

Lost Legacies: Wealth Squandered By the Heirs of the Ultra-Rich

When it comes to estate planning, the saying “learn from the mistakes of others” couldn’t be more true. Here are some real-world estate planning horror stories that highlight "what not to do"... 18 Oct
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Common Mistakes, Curated Content

Lessons From Real-World Estate Planning Horror Stories

For family-owned businesses, succession planning is especially important, as the business often represents both a significant financial asset and a key part of the family’s identity and legacy. 17 Oct
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Curated Content, Succession Lessons

Essential Estate Planning for Family-Owned Businesses

In a typical estate plan, each spouse leaves their assets to the other. When the second spouse passes away, assets are distributed to their children. But what happens to your estate plan if you remarry? And what if you have children from a prior marriage? 10 Oct
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Curated Content, Life Events

Remarriage: a New Family Calls for a New Estate Plan

04 Oct
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Bizarre Bequests, Curated Content

Furry Heirs: The Rising Trend of Pet Trusts & Bequests

Effective communication with your family and loved ones is vital... The consequences of ambiguity or misalignment between intent and execution can be significant, potentially leading to legal battles that deplete trust resources and damage family relationships. 30 Sep
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Communication Breakdowns, Curated Content

Estate Planning Case Proves Communication is Vital

"Estates gone wrong" refers to the failure of an estate plan, often resulting in significant financial, legal, and family conflicts. Discuss your estate plan with your family and beneficiaries to ensure they understand your wishes and to minimize conflict.  30 Sep
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Common Mistakes, Generated Content

Common Mistakes Leading to “Estates Gone Wrong”

My mom, 65, inherited $450K when my dad died — but now she’s hooked on slots and burning through the cash. How can I protect our family’s assets before it’s too late? 27 Sep
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Curated Content, Squandered Fortunes

My Mom Inherited $450k: Now She’s ‘Hooked on Slots’

Family in Legal Battle with Housekeeper over Richard Simmons' Estate 26 Sep
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Celebrity Estates, Curated Content

Richard Simmons’ Estate: Family in Legal Battle with Housekeeper

Choosing the right estate planning attorney is vital for ensuring that your wishes are honored and your assets are properly managed. By following these tips, you can ensure a smoother transition of assets and provide peace of mind for yourself and your loved ones. 25 Sep
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Curated Content, Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Choose The Right Estate Planning Attorney?

Murdoch Family Legal Battle Highlights a Harsh Reality: No Trust is Airtight | Family Disputes | Celebrity Estates | Estates Gone Wrong 23 Sep
  • by Estates Gone Wrong
  • Curated Content, Infamous Feuds

Murdoch Family Legal Battle: “No Trust is Airtight!”

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Topics:

  • Beneficiary Rights (26)
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  • Common Mistakes (52)
  • Communication Breakdowns (42)
  • Digital Distress (56)
  • Family Disputes (68)
  • Guardian Safeguards (38)
  • Infamous Feuds (34)
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  • Long-Term Care Crisis (36)
  • Property Pitfalls (54)
  • Squandered Fortunes (24)
  • Succession Lessons (42)
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  • Unique Assets & Interests (28)

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

Estate trustees (Executors) have a duty to keep accurate records of estate assets and transactions throughout their administration and to account to beneficiaries at appropriate intervals.

Keeping Meticulous Records: Practical Tips for Executors

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?

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