Tag

Wills and estates

Stories continue below

Wisdom on wills: smart estate-planning for wealthy families

Wills can be like unexploded ordnance. Here’s how to avoid wreaking havoc on the family and business

Even if you have very good reasons, estate-planning experts urge a rethink, and it could be overturned in court anyway

She planned fairly well, but being my mother’s executor brought appreciation for families of complexity, writes Sarah B. Hood

A ‘mutual wills agreement’ can prevent unwelcome surprises later, especially in contentious families

Settling an estate can take years and drain cash if terms are not specific or executors need to account for errors

If the document has weak spots, it can be challenged – a costly, invasive and time-consuming process

Success depends on your province and strength of the case. British Columbia and Alberta tend to be more favourable to will challenges

No one learns the lessons of poor estate planning better than people with wealth and a reputation at stake