A Will Might Not Be Enough: Accidental Disinheritance

About this episode

The episode discusses common estate planning mistakes and the importance of having a comprehensive plan beyond just legal documents.

If you're over 50 and even *thinking* about probate, accidental inheritance, or whether your estate plan will actually work the way you intend—it's time to grab a cup of coffee and lean in. In today's episode, we dive into the real-world estate planning mistakes we see far too often, and why having "the documents" doesn't necessarily mean you have a plan. We unpack why so many well-intentioned families still end up in court, accidentally disinherit loved ones, or create unnecessary taxes and family tension. From wills vs. beneficiary forms to revocable living trusts, family communication, and settling your estate *while you're still alive*, this conversation is packed with eye-opening insights and practical clarity to help you protect the people you care about most—without spoilers, but with plenty of "aha" moments. --- ## Timeline Highlights [0:00] – Why probate and accidental disinheritance become top concerns after age 50 [2:25] – The big myth: why having a will does *not* avoid probate [4:00] – How beneficiary forms silently override your will (Rock beats scissors) [7:12] – The costly mistake of naming your estate as a beneficiary [10:38] – "The documents are not the plan"…

People in this episode

Hosts: Randall Yeomans, Nicholas Yeomans, Aaron Calhoun

Topics covered

• estate planning
• probate
• disinheritance
• wills
• trusts
• family communication

Keywords

• accidental disinheritance
• estate plan
• beneficiary forms
• revocable living trusts
• family tension
• probate myths

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