Estate Planning Nightmares.....and how to avoid them!
by Jonathan Braddock
Welcome to "Estate Planning Nightmares...and How to Avoid Them!" - the podcast that delves into the fascinating and often unsettling world of estate planning gone awry, while providing you with invaluable insights to ensure your own estate planning journey is smooth and stress-free.Join us as we uncover real-life stories of estate planning gone wrong - from contentious family disputes over inheritances to legal battles that could have been prevented. Our goal is to help you "Make Things Easier For Those You Love!
Episodes
-
"Congratulations! You Have an Estate Plan. Now Where the Hell Is Everything?"
You spent thousands getting your estate plan done. Your trust is signed. Your will is in place. Everything is legally buttoned up. So why could your family still be completely lost when something happens to you? Welcome to the very first edition of The Braddock Reality Check, a new solo series...
-
You Paid the Premiums. So Why Won’t Life Insurance Pay? with Stephie Prestridge, Co-Founder of Life Claim
You bought the life insurance. You paid the premiums. You named the beneficiary. So when you die, your family gets the money…right? Not always. In this eye-opening episode of Estate Planning Nightmares & How to Avoid Them, Jon Braddock sits down with attorney Stephie Prestridge, co-founder of…
more -
Stop Waiting for Someday: How to Live Your Next Chapter
What if one of the biggest mistakes we make in planning for the future is assuming we're actually going to get there? We spend decades building careers, businesses, wealth and reputations. We tell ourselves we'll take the trip, call the old friend, slow down, try something new and finally start...
-
Good Grief: Why Your Family Needs More Than an Estate Plan | Riley Kern
What if a good estate plan isn't just about preparing for death, but helping the people you love grieve well when that day comes? In this episode of Estate Planning Nightmares and How to Avoid Them, Jon Braddock sits down with Riley Kern, estate planning attorney and founder of Roots Law, for a...
-
Your Family Will Inherit Your Preparation...or Your Procrastination
What do being an Army Ranger, working inside the IRS, and helping families prepare for death have in common? Preparation. In this episode of Estate Planning Nightmares...and How to Avoid Them, Jon Braddock sits down with Charles R. Frazier, founder of Frazier Law, whose remarkable journey took…
more -
The Photograph That Survived Gettysburg: What Will Survive You?
What if one photograph was all that remained to tell your story? In this powerful return episode of Estate Planning Nightmares and How to Avoid Them, Jon Braddock welcomes back Pennsylvania estate planning attorney and Civil War historian John Benson for a fascinating journey from the battlefield...
-
From Navy JAG to Estate Planning: Why Every Family Needs a Plan Before It's Too Late
For more than a decade, Kate Tanner served as a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General's Corps, prosecuting crimes, advising military commanders, and helping service members through some of the most difficult moments of their lives. But after years of dealing with the legal...
-
The Trust Trap: Why DIY Estate Planning Often Ends in Disaster
Most people believe that once they create a trust, their estate plan is complete. Unfortunately, that's often where the problems begin. In this episode of Estate Planning Nightmares... and How to Avoid Them, Jon Braddock sits down with estate planning attorney Michael Stewart, founder of Stewart...
-
The Final Gift: How Clarity Replaced Guilt and Conflict
What if the greatest gift you leave your family isn't money, but clarity? In this episode, estate planning attorney Sabrina Winters shares the personal experience that shaped her career after watching her family struggle through the consequences of having no plan in place. When her uncle passed...
-
Why Estate Plans Fail in Real Life (Even When You Have One) | Lauren Klein, ESQ.
Most estate plans don’t fail because people didn’t do them… They fail because no one followed through. In this episode of Estate Planning Nightmares… and How to Avoid Them, Jon Braddock sits down with estate planning attorney Lauren Klein, co-founder of Flourish Law Group, to break down what’s...
-
Your Estate Plan Needs a Lifeguard (Here’s Why Most Plans Fail Anyway)
Most people think estate planning is about documents. Wills. Trusts. Paperwork. But what if that’s not what actually protects your family? In this episode of Estate Planning Nightmares… and How to Avoid Them, Jon Braddock sits down with returning guest and estate planning attorney Heidi...
-
From the Flight Deck to Financial Reality: The 7 Money Milestones Most Families Miss
Most people think they’re doing okay financially. They’re working hard… earning money… maybe even saving or investing… But what if the real problem isn’t income— it’s understanding? In this episode of Estate Planning Nightmares… and How to Avoid Them, Jon Braddock sits down with U.S. Navy veteran...
-
The Estate Plan Killer No One Talks About: Why Long-Term Care Changes Everything
Most estate plans don’t fail because of bad documents… They fail because of what happens before death. In this episode of Estate Planning Nightmares… and How to Avoid Them, Jon sits down with long-term care expert Raymond Lavine to unpack one of the biggest blind spots in financial and estate...
-
Married 60 Years… But the Law Kept Them Apart
An elderly couple married for 60 years were separated during COVID. Not because they wanted to be. Because they didn’t have the right legal documents in place. In this powerful episode of Estate Planning Nightmares… and How to Avoid Them, I sit down with Attorney Karnina “Nina” Deane, founder of…
more -
“I Survived a Heart Attack — And My Estate Plan Saved My Family From Chaos”
What would happen to your family if something unexpected happened tomorrow? In this powerful episode of Estate Planning Nightmares… and How to Avoid Them! , Jon sits down with Andrew G. Rosenberg, founder of the Rosenberg Law Firm, to discuss what 30 years in estate planning has taught him about...
-
Estate Planning, Family Legacy & Civil War History: Why You Shouldn’t Wait to Preserve Your Story
Estate planning is about more than wills and trusts. It’s about preserving your family’s legacy, protecting loved ones from probate chaos, and capturing the stories that define who you are. In this episode of Estate Planning Nightmares… and How to Avoid Them, Jon sits down with Pennsylvania…
more -
“When Legacy Reaches the Stars: Honoring Loved Ones Through Space”
What if honoring a loved one didn’t stop at the cemetery… or even the ocean , but reached beyond Earth itself? In this powerful and inspiring episode of Estate Planning Nightmares… and How to Avoid Them, Jon sits down with Ryan Mitchell, founder of Ashes to Space, a groundbreaking company making…
more -
“Chaos vs. Clarity: Two Estate Planning Stories Every Family Needs to Hear”
What happens when estate planning is started.....but not finished? And what happens when a crisis hits and everything is already in place? In this episode of Estate Planning Nightmares… and How to Avoid Them, estate planning attorney Kelly Balamuth shares two real-life stories that reveal the…
more -
“What Happens When You Leave No Instructions? Estate Nightmares from Art to Investments”
In this unforgettable episode of Estate PlanningNightmares… and How to Avoid Them, Jon sits down with Attorney Ken Ventresca, a dual-licensed Pennsylvania and Florida estate planning expert who has seen just about everything — from museum-level art collections withzero documentation… to a home…
more -
The $50,000 Venmo Nightmare: How One Digital Payment Can Destroy a Legacy
A $50,000 Venmo transfer. A generous father helping his son buy a house. And a single missing sentence that tore a family apart. In this episode of Estate Planning Nightmares… and How to Avoid Them, host Jon Braddock is joined by estate planning attorney Andrew M. Ayers to unpack one of the most...
-
From Trust to Transfer: Raising the Bar for Estate Signings with Dean Eason-Williams
He’s back — and this time, as an author! In this powerful new episode of Estate Planning Nightmares… and How to Avoid Them, host Jon Braddock welcomes returning guest Dean Eason-Williams, founder of NotaryCLT Signings and Apex Mentorship, and author of From Trust to Transfer: A Practical Guide…
more -
From Prosecutor to Protector: Ivette Kuyateh on Avoiding Estate Nightmares
What happens when good intentions turn into estate planning nightmares? In this episode, Attorney Ivette Kuyateh, known as The Kingdom Shero Lawyer in Heels™️, joins host Jon Braddock to share how a former prosecutor became one of California’s most passionate advocates for family protection,...
-
“Trying to Cheat the System: A Special Needs Nightmare with Attorney Jolene Blackbourn”
What happens when good intentions collide with bad advice? In this episode of Estate Planning Nightmares… and How to Avoid Them, Jon Braddock welcomes back Attorney Jolene Blackbourn the show’s very first guest from May 2023! Jolene shares a heartbreaking (and all too common) story about a...
-
From Clutter to Clarity: How Julie Ulrich Helps Families Organize What Matters Most
In this heartfelt and eye-opening episode of Estate Planning Nightmares… and How to Avoid Them, I sit down with Julie Ulrich—founder of Organized Legacy and creator of the WYNKfile™. Julie shares her unique expertise in helping families prepare for the inevitable—whether through legacy planning,...
-
Inside the Mind of a Legal Disruptor: Paul Yokabitus on Planning, Scaling, and Serving
In this episode of Estate Planning Nightmares...and How to Avoid Them, I sit down with Paul Yokabitus — a powerhouse estate planning attorney and entrepreneur based in Cary, North Carolina. Paul is the founder of Cary Estate Planning, one of the fastest-growing law firms in the country, as well…
more -
Small Steps, Big Impact: Holly Simpson’s 1% Rule and the Power of Southern Hospitality in Estate Planning
In this episode of Estate Planning Nightmares… and How to Avoid Them, host Jon Braddock welcomes Holly Simpson — attorney, law firm founder, former therapist, and the driving force behind Simpson Law Firm in Fort Mill, South Carolina. What began as a solo journey just seven years ago has grown…
more -
Celebrity Estates Gone Wrong + The Rise of the Lifestyle Lawyer with Laura Cowan, Esq., CPA
What do Gene Hackman and Jimmy Buffett have in common—aside from legendary careers? Sadly, both left behind estates that are reportedly causing legal headaches for their families. In this powerful episode of Estate Planning Nightmares… and How to Avoid Them, Jon Braddock sits down with returning...
-
"I Hope You Die Laughing: Finding Humor in Estate Planning with Attorney Nicole Harvey"
In this episode of Estate Planning Nightmares... and How to Avoid Them!, Jon Braddock sits down with attorney and author Nicole Harvey for a refreshingly funny and eye-opening conversation about estate planning. Nicole is the author of I Hope You Die Laughing—a witty and wise guide that helps...
-
Becoming Their Voice: A Conversation with Author Julie Moore
In this heartfelt episode of Estate Planning Nightmares… and How to Avoid Them, host Jon Braddock sits down with retired U.S. Army veteran, caregiver, and author Julie Moore to discuss her powerful new book, I Am Their Voice: A Guide for Caregivers and Advocates. Julie shares her deeply personal...
-
Gone, But Growing: Turning Yourself Into Soil (On Purpose!)
In this episode of Estate Planning Nightmares…andHow to Avoid Them, Jon Braddock sits down with Regis Wiegand, founder of NORAZ (Natural Organic Reduction of Arizona), to explore a groundbreaking and eco-conscious alternative to traditional burial and cremation: natural organic reduction, or…
more -
"Blindsided: The Estate Planning Nightmare That Changed Everything – with David Mohrmann"
In this powerful episode of Estate Planning Nightmares, I sit down with David Mohrmann of Carolina Legacy Law Group to discuss the deeply personal story that led him to become an estate planning attorney. After losing his father at just 49 years old, David experienced firsthand the devastating...
-
Estate Planning Pitfalls: Avoiding Family Disputes & Costly Mistakes with Peter Osman
In this episode of Estate Planning Nightmares and How to Avoid Them, I sit down with Attorney Peter Osman, a seasoned estate, business planning, and elder law attorney based in Wisconsin. Peter shares his insights on proactive estate planning and why strategies like transfer-on-deathdesignations...
-
"From Tragedy to Purpose: How Mary Ann Wehr is Changing Estate Planning Forever"
What happens when estate planning fails at the worst possible moment? In this powerful episode of Estate Planning Nightmares... and How to Avoid Them, I sit down with Mary Ann Wehr, an estate planning attorney whose journey into this field wasn’t just professional—it was deeply personal. After…
more -
The Cost of Conflict: How Probate Can Drain an Estate
In this episode of Estate Planning Nightmares... and How to Avoid Them, Jon Braddock sits down with attorney Roberto Seda to discuss two shocking probate cases. The first reveals how a seemingly simple estate turned into a bitter legal battle between two siblings—dragging on for over a year and...
-
"Scavenger Hunts, Forgotten Plans, and Estate Planning Nightmares"
In this special episode of Estate Planning Nightmares and How to Avoid Them, Jon Braddock joins the Ask the Attorney live stream, hosted by Miya Ingel, evening Anchor of UpNorthLive and Mary Ann Wehr of Great Lakes Center for Estate Planning. Jon shares the story that set him on the path to...
-
"From Litigation to Legacy: Attorney Libby Banks on Estate Planning Essentials"
In this episode of Estate Planning Nightmares and How to Avoid Them, host Jon Braddock sits down with Attorney Libby Banks, owner of The Law Office of Libby Banks. Libby shares her journey from high-profile litigation to becoming a passionate advocate for customized estate planning. Together…
more -
The Missing Piece in Estate Planning with Jon Braddock
In this enlightening episode I am interviewed by attorney Libby Banks and her associate, Alison Gloss, on The Law Office of Libby Banks Podcast. Jon Braddock is founder of MyLifeandWishes.com and author of "Click Here When I Die: Make Things Easier for Those You Love". Jon shares the personal…
more -
Pet Trusts: Protecting Your Furry Family Members with Marjorie Desmond
Welcome to another episode of Estate Planning Nightmares and How to Avoid Them! In today’s episode, we’re diving into a topic that’s close to the hearts of many: ensuring the care of your beloved pets through thoughtful estate planning. I’m joined by Marjorie Desmond, a Personal Family Lawyer and...
-
Lessons from a Father’s Passing with Ryan Anderson
In this heartfelt and insightful episode of Estate Planning Nightmares...and How to Avoid Them, host Jon Braddock sits down with Ryan Anderson, Senior Financial Advisor, fiduciary, and managing partner at Retirement Fundamentals. Ryan shares the deeply personal story of his father’s passing and…
more -
Unlocking Credibility: How a Book Can Transform Your Business with Michael DeLon
In this powerful episode of Estate Planning Nightmares and How to Avoid Them, I sit down with Michael DeLon, #1 Amazon Best-Selling Author and America’s Foremost Authority on Credibility Marketing. Michael shares his deeply personal experience of helping a friend's widow navigate the overwhelming...
-
"Veterans Day Special: Protecting the Legacy of Our Heroes"
"This Veterans Day, we pay tribute to our veterans and active-duty members with an episode dedicated to the importance of estate planning for military families. We dive into the unique aspects of military life – relocations, deployments, and benefits – and why a solid estate plan is crucial to...
-
"Avoiding Medicare Mishaps: Navigating Financial Security with Kylee Mollotte"
In this episode of Estate Planning Nightmares and How to Avoid Them, we’re joined by Medicare and financial services expert Kylee Mollotte. With a background rooted in teamwork and perseverance from her early days on a farm in Washington, Kylee brings a fresh and highly personalized approach to...
-
"Protecting Your Legacy: Insights from Estate Planning Expert Andre Pennington"
In this episode of Estate Planning Nightmares...and How to Avoid Them, I am joined by Andre Pennington, an Arizona estate planning lawyer and financial professional with a passion for protecting families and vulnerable communities. Andre shares his journey into estate planning, driven by personal...
-
"Estate Planning Awareness Week: Avoiding Nightmares and Securing Your Legacy"
"In this special episode of Estate Planning Nightmares… and How to Avoid Them, host Jon Braddock dives into the significance of Estate Planning Awareness Week. Estate planning isn’t just for the wealthy or the elderly—it’s for everyone. Jon explains why now is the perfect time to stop...
-
"Inheritance Gone Wrong: Lessons from a $14 Million Loss with Paul Deloughery"
In this episode of Estate Planning Nightmares… and How to Avoid Them!, host Jon Braddock is joined by seasoned estate planning and probate litigation attorney Paul Deloughery, who brings over 25 years of experience to the discussion. Paul shares his personal story of inheriting $14 million and...
-
Avoiding Estate Planning Disasters: Insights from Attorney Meghan Stokes
In this episode of Estate Planning Nightmares, host Jon Braddock sits down with Meghan Stokes, founder of the Law Office of Meghan Stokes LLC, to explore the crucial steps families can take to avoid the chaos and heartache that comes with improper estate planning. Meghan shares a powerful story…
more -
"DIY Wills Gone Wrong: An Estate Planning Nightmare with Attorney Steven Michael McClelland"
In this episode of Estate Planning Nightmares...and How to Avoid Them, host Jon Braddock sits down with Certified Elder Law Attorney Steven Michael McClelland, owner of McClelland Law Firm, P.A. in Central Arkansas. Steven shares his experiences from the front lines of estate planning and…
more -
"The High Cost of No Planning with Jackie Cara: How Estate Decisions Impact Families"
In this episode of Estate Planning Nightmares, we are joined by Jacqueline Cara, founder of Cara Law and an expert in estate and special needs planning. Jackie shares her personal journey from a trial attorney to becoming a passionate advocate for families like her own, raising children with…
more -
Navigating Estate Planning with Compassion: A Conversation with Yuki Ku
In this episode of "Estate Planning Nightmares," I'm thrilled to introduce a truly inspiring guest, Yuki Ku, the founder of Roots and Wings Legal based in Walnut Creek, CA. Yuki's impressive legal journey began in the high-stakes world of Corporate Mergers and Acquisitions, Emerging Companies…
more -
Jacqueline Price-"Flight Paths and Legal Paths: A Flight Attendant’s Estate Planning Mission"
In this compelling episode of Estate Planning Nightmares, we sit down with Jacqueline Price, a flight attendant whose life took an unexpected turn during a layover in Paris. Jacqueline shares the heart-wrenching story of receiving the news of her mother’s passing and the challenging aftermath of...
About this show
Welcome to "Estate Planning Nightmares...and How to Avoid Them!" - the podcast that delves into the fascinating and often unsettling world of estate planning gone awry, while providing you with invaluable insights to ensure your own estate planning journey is smooth and stress-free.Join us as we uncover real-life stories of estate planning gone wrong - from contentious family disputes over inheritances to legal battles that could have been prevented. Our goal is to help you "Make Things Easier For Those You Love!
Hosted by
Jonathan Braddock
Categories