It might surprise you, but some of the most famous people in the world died without a will. Prince. Michael Jackson. Aretha Franklin. Jimi Hendrix. Elvis Presley. Their names are known everywhere, but when they passed, their estates landed in probate court.
And probate doesn’t care if you’re famous.
When someone dies without a will, the law steps in to decide what happens. This process is called probate. A judge gets involved. The estate must be sorted out – debts paid, assets located, heirs identified. If there’s no will, state law decides who gets what. That can take a long time and cost a lot of money.
For celebrities, this played out in the headlines. Some of their families fought over money or decisions that were never clearly written down. But this doesn’t just happen to the rich or famous. It happens to everyday families all of the time.
What people don’t realize is that probate is public. Anyone can look up what someone owned, what they owed, and who inherited it. Most people prefer to keep those things private, but if there’s no plan in place, that privacy is lost.
So, what can you do?
The best way to avoid probate – or at least make it easier for your family – is to put together a clear estate plan. That usually means a will, a financial power of attorney, and a healthcare directive at the very least. Some people also use living trust to keep their assets out of probate entirely.
These aren’t just legal documents. They’re instructions. They tell your loved ones what to do when you can’t speak for yourself. Without them, the people you care about may have to go through court, delay, and confusion – on top of grieving a loss.
We’ve seen it firsthand. Families who have to figure out everything from scratch. People locked out of bank accounts. Houses that sit in limbo. It’s hard, and it’s often avoidable.
Creating an estate plan doesn’t have to be complicated. It just takes a little time and the right guidance. That’s what we’re here for.
If you’re ready to get started – or just want to ask a few questions – we’re happy to talk.
