Episode 66: Big Estates, Bigger Problems: What Can Go Wrong After Death

In this solo episode of The Lawmas Podcast, Lauren continues the New Year focus on estate planning by examining what happens when even well-known, well-documented estates go wrong. Using high-profile examples, including James Brown, Jimmy Buffett, and the Menendez brothers, she explains how wills, trusts, executors, and beneficiaries can still end up tangled in decades of litigation, despite proper planning. Lauren walks through why James Brown’s estate remained tied up for nearly 20 years, how executor misconduct and family disputes drained estate assets, and why having a will doesn’t guarantee a smooth probate process. She also explains how trusts can still lead to lawsuits, and how laws like the slayer statute prevent inheritance even when someone would otherwise be an heir. The episode reinforces a key takeaway: estate planning is essential, but no plan is completely immune from conflict—and thoughtful planning is about minimizing risk, not eliminating it entirely.