What the Astronomer CEO Scandal Teaches Us About Wills, Beneficiaries, and Fictitious Daughters

The internet loves a juicy scandal. Bonus points if it involves a CEO, an affair, and a viral reaction video from a daughter who—small detail—doesn’t actually exist.

If you’re following the online chaos surrounding the CEO of Astronomer, you’ve also seen how fast misinformation travels. One minute, the world is dissecting a press statement he never released. The next, TikTok is convinced the “laughing friend” works at his company (she doesn’t). And somewhere in between, a suspicious reaction video surfaces from a daughter he simply doesn’t have.

It’s entertaining… until you realize your own legacy could play out a similar way if you don’t put your wishes in writing. That same vacuum of facts is exactly what an intestacy (dying without a will), or an outdated will creates for the people you leave behind.

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When There’s No Will, Everyone Becomes a Detective

In Ontario, if you die without a will, the law steps in and makes one for you.

This sounds helpful—until you realize it often leads to confusion, drama, and relatives Googling “intestate succession rules” at 2 a.m.

We’ve seen cases where siblings suddenly discover they have a half-sibling in another country. Or a cousin who insists they were promised that rare coin collection back in 1996.

Without clear instructions, families are left to cobble together your story from whatever scraps they can find—and not all of them will be accurate.

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Imaginary Beneficiaries Are More Common Than You Think

When someone dies without a clear estate plan, people can step in to fill the silence.

Sometimes they’re well-meaning. Sometimes they’re opportunistic. And sometimes they’re just confused. But misinformation doesn’t need to be malicious to cause damage.

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Executors Are Often Not Paid Enough to Deal With Your Family Drama

When you don’t leave a will, your executor (or court-appointed administrator) may have to piece together your intentions based on incomplete facts..

They can become part family therapist, part forensic accountant, and even part internet sleuth.

And no—“they’ll figure it out” is not a viable estate plan.

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And Then There’s the “Side Piece”

(That’s the internet’s label for her—not mine.) Crowds are now dissecting her motives, ethics, the power dynamics—building a narrative from scraps.

Estate disputes echo this pattern. A caregiver or long‑trusted friend you intentionally name in a will is recast as a manipulator; a child (who left their career to becomer your caregiver) gets a larger share becomes “the influencer.” Without a clear, well‑communicated plan, loyalty and love can get rewritten as scheming and grief curdles into gossip.

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Here’s the Thing…

Our headline was meant to grab your attention. That’s the easy part.

But the point is serious: when you don’t control your story, someone else will.

Your legacy should be more than what others piece together.

We can help make sure it is.

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Let’s Make a Plan

If you want to avoid confusion and conflict, book a consultation with our wills and estates team.

Whether your estate is modest or complex, we’ll help you document your wishes with clarity and care—so your loved ones don’t have to guess.

We’re based in Etobicoke and serve clients across Toronto and the GTA. We’d love to help.

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Contact Us

Visit lldg.ca to schedule a meeting or call us at 416-620-0362.

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