PODCASTEpisode 11 – Understanding Probate and Estate Planning Basics
Is probate really like it is on TV? What happens to your assets when you pass away, and how can you make the process easier for your loved ones?
In this episode of Into the Woods, attorney Caroline Cercone joins host Dave Shaffer to demystify the probate process. They break down what probate actually involves, which assets require court proceedings and which don't, and why the dramatic "reading of the will" you see in movies isn't how things work in real life. Caroline and Dave explore the pros and cons of probate avoidance, explaining when court oversight can actually be beneficial and when it's better to streamline the process through trusts and beneficiary designations. The episode concludes with a cautionary tale about Aretha Franklin's estate, demonstrating how poor planning led to five years of costly litigation over handwritten wills found in surprising places—including sofa cushions. Plus, Dave attempts his own musical tribute to the Queen of Soul with a probate-themed twist on her classic hit.