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When Love, Legacy, and the Law Collide: A Real-Life Lesson in Estate Planning Gone Wrong
Imagine this: A TV executive passes away with a sprawling $29 million estate, a home fit for a Jane Austen film, and a life partner of 10 years… who’s left with nothing.
This isn’t fiction. It’s the true story of Justin Bodle, a British producer whose outdated will set the stage for a bitter legal battle. And it’s a cautionary tale for anyone who hasn’t updated their estate plan in a while.
The Headlines Tell the Story
Bodle died in 2019, leaving behind lavish properties and a wine collection that would make sommeliers swoon. But the only legal document in place? A will from 2013, naming his estranged wife as the sole beneficiary.
His partner—the woman he lived with and raised children with—wasn’t mentioned. Now she’s in court, asking for a share of the estate. The wife (and executor) argues there’s not much left after taxes, debts, and legal fees. Meanwhile, the children are stuck in limbo.
It’s the kind of drama that splits families—and drains fortunes.
What Went Wrong?
- The will didn’t reflect Bodle’s real life at the time of death.
- His partner and children had no legal protection.
- Assets weren’t structured for liquidity, leaving bills unpaid.
- Emotions, money, and unclear planning collided—hard.
What Can You Learn?
You don’t need millions to learn something important here:
- Update your plan after big life events—divorce, remarriage, births, etc.
- Make your wishes clear, especially if you want to provide for someone outside your marriage.
- Choose your executor carefully—and make sure they understand their role.
- Think liquidity—assets are great, but cash pays bills.
- Work with a professional who knows how to navigate complex family dynamics.
At Raulston & Associates, we believe estate planning is about protecting the people you love most—not just your money. An outdated will is a risk. No will at all? That’s a disaster waiting to happen.
👉 Request a consultation today and let’s make sure your plan is as current—and protective—as it needs to be.
The Great Wealth Transfer Is Coming—Will Your Family Be Ready or Left in Chaos?
Over the next 20 years, $84 trillion is expected to change hands in what’s being called The Great Wealth Transfer. It sounds like a windfall—but for families without an estate plan, it could be a disaster.
At Raulston & Associates, we’ve seen firsthand what happens when families aren’t prepared. Money tied up in probate, loved ones fighting in court, and legacies lost to taxes and legal fees. It doesn’t have to be that way—but the clock is ticking.
Big Dreams, No Documents
Here’s the reality: A majority of Americans say estate planning is important, yet more than half have no documents at all. No will. No trust. Not even a power of attorney or healthcare directive.
We worked with a family recently whose patriarch passed away unexpectedly. He owned property, investments, and a classic car collection—but no estate plan. His children spent nearly a year in probate court, racking up thousands in legal fees and watching family tensions rise. What should’ve been a celebration of his legacy turned into a legal nightmare.
What Happens Without a Plan?
If you die without a plan in place, your family may have to:
- Hire an attorney to navigate the probate process
- Wait months—or even years—for resolution
- Lose assets to legal fees, taxes, or creditors
- Face unnecessary stress during an already painful time
This isn’t just inconvenient—it’s heartbreaking. And entirely preventable.
A Plan Can Change Everything
Even a simple will and powers of attorney can spare your family a world of trouble. But if you want to avoid probate altogether and keep your affairs private, a properly funded trust is often the best route. (Emphasis on “funded.” An unfunded trust is just an expensive stack of paper.)
And don’t think estate planning is only for the ultra-wealthy. Modest estates benefit too—especially with rising healthcare costs, complex family dynamics, and looming tax law changes in 2025.
So, the question is: Are you ready for your part in The Great Wealth Transfer?
👉 Request a consultation with Raulston & Associates to start building your plan—before chaos takes the place of your legacy.
Legacy Planning: How to Leave a Lasting Impact
James had spent his life building something meaningful. A successful family business, a strong financial foundation, and a commitment to philanthropy. But when he passed, his children found themselves unsure of what he truly wanted.
A legacy is more than just wealth—it’s the values, stories, and impact you leave behind. Here’s how you can ensure your legacy lasts for generations.
1. Preserve Your Family’s History
Stories get lost over time. Writing down your memories or recording video messages for future generations keeps your values alive.
2. Use a Trust to Protect Multi-Generational Wealth
A well-structured trust ensures your assets last beyond one generation. Without a trust, 70% of wealth is lost by the second generation and 90% by the third.
3. Incorporate Charitable Giving
Leaving a portion of your estate to charity keeps your impact going. A charitable trust or donor-advised fund can make giving seamless.
4. Create a Business Succession Plan
If you own a business, failing to plan can cause disruptions, conflicts, and financial loss.
5. Communicate Your Wishes Clearly
James didn’t have clear instructions, which left his children confused. Talking about your estate plan in advance prevents disputes and ensures your wishes are honored.
A lasting legacy starts with planning. Request a consultation with Raulston & Associates today.
Estate Planning for Blended Families – Debunking Common Myths
When David and Lisa got married, they had the perfect wedding—a beautiful ceremony surrounded by family, followed by a honeymoon in the Caribbean.
What they didn’t realize at the time was that their estate planning would be far more complicated than planning a wedding.
Both had children from previous marriages, and like many blended families, they assumed that “things would just work themselves out” when it came to inheritance.
But when David passed away unexpectedly, Lisa inherited everything, as per their will. She fully intended to set money aside for David’s kids. But over time, life happened—she had medical expenses, invested in her own children’s needs, and eventually remarried. By the time she passed away, David’s children received nothing.
Blended families are common, but estate planning myths can lead to accidental disinheritance and family disputes. Let’s set the record straight.
Myth #1: “My Spouse Will Do the Right Thing”
One of the biggest mistakes blended families make is assuming the surviving spouse will ensure assets are distributed fairly. While most people have good intentions, circumstances change.
✅ Solution: A trust can ensure that your assets are distributed according to your wishes while still providing for your spouse.
Myth #2: “A Simple Will is Enough”
A will alone may not prevent conflict among stepchildren and biological children. Disputes over sentimental items, unclear asset division, and differing expectations can cause significant stress.
✅ Solution: A clear, legally binding estate plan that accounts for all heirs can help avoid disputes and protect relationships.
Myth #3: “I Can Just Add My Kids to My Deed”
Some parents try to avoid estate planning by adding their children to property deeds. This can lead to unintended consequences, such as gift tax liabilities, increased capital gains taxes, and potential legal battles if one child wants to sell while others do not.
✅ Solution: A revocable living trust can provide structured asset distribution without triggering unnecessary tax burdens or conflicts.
David and Lisa’s story is a common one—but yours doesn’t have to end the same way. Request a consultation today and create a plan that ensures all of your loved ones are protected.
Trust vs. Will: Which One is Right for You?
Sarah and Tom had always been responsible with their finances. They saved diligently, paid off their mortgage early, and even drafted a will shortly after
their second child was born. They believed they had done everything necessary to ensure a smooth transition of assets should something happen to one of them. But when Tom suddenly passed away in a car accident, Sarah was blindsided by the complexity and costs of the probate process.
Tom’s will had been written with the best of intentions—he had named Sarah as the primary beneficiary and their children as secondary beneficiaries. But what they hadn’t anticipated was the long, drawn-out legal process that followed. Probate court required months of hearings, costly legal fees, and public disclosure of their assets before Sarah could gain full control over what Tom had left behind. In the meantime, certain accounts were frozen, and Sarah had to scramble to cover everyday expenses.
The experience made her wonder—was there a better way?
Understanding the Differences: Wills vs. Trusts
What is a Will?
A will is a legal document that outlines your wishes regarding asset distribution, guardianship of minor children, and your choice of executor. It is one of the most basic estate planning tools, but it comes with limitations that many people overlook.
- Wills must go through probate. This is the legal process of validating the will in court, which can take months or even years depending on the complexity of the estate.
- Probate is public. This means anyone can access the details of your estate, including nosy neighbors or potential scammers.
- A will does not help with incapacity. If you become incapacitated before passing away, your will does nothing to manage your assets or finances.
What is a Trust?
A trust, on the other hand, allows you to place your assets under the management of a trustee, who is responsible for distributing them according to your wishes. Unlike a will, a trust:
- Avoids probate entirely, allowing beneficiaries to receive their inheritance quickly.
- Provides privacy, as trusts do not go through the public court system.
- Can specify conditions for inheritance, which is especially useful for minor children or beneficiaries who may not be financially responsible.
- Can provide for you during your lifetime, in case of illness or incapacity.
Which One is Right for You?
The choice between a will and a trust depends on your specific needs and goals. If you have few assets and want a simple, straightforward way to pass them on, a will may be sufficient. However, if you want to avoid probate, protect your privacy, and ensure your assets are distributed exactly as you wish, a trust is often the better choice.
Sarah learned this lesson the hard way. After struggling through probate, she decided to set up a trust for her children, ensuring that they wouldn’t face the same hurdles when she passed. You don’t have to wait for a crisis to make the right decision—schedule a consultation with Raulston & Associates today.
Intellectual Property Basics
These comparisons to board games might help you understand patents, trademarks and copyright – the main forms of intellectual property. Imagine a game rule that says, you can make up a new rule. If the banker allows the rule, you get exclusive use it for 20 turns. If others like it, they must pay you to use it during those turns. That’s roughly like a patent; patents protect new and useful ideas for a time, so inventors have a chance to profit. Trademarks are about names and designs that identify & distinguish things. Picture a game where only one player gets to use the label ‘HotelsIncluded’ to describe the properties they sell – which always have a hotel. Other players could sell property with hotels, but can’t use ‘HotelsIncluded’ to describe them. That’s the basic idea of trademarks. Finally, picture a game that includes blank cards. Anything a player writes or draws on a card becomes theirs to own, sell or trade. Since their original ideas are fixed & written down, their ownership rights are protected. That’s a loose analogy for copyright – creators of original works that are fixed & tangible have legal rights to those works.
Alternatives To Litigation
While there’s no concrete answer to how long a lawsuit process might take in court, US cases take over a year on average, and cases running 5 or more years are not unheard of. The load of cases before state courts has increased over time, and staffing has not. Statistically, most litigation is not completed by a court decision, but settled out of court. How long cases take to reach settlement is also unpredictable. Mediation and arbitration are common routes to settle outside litigation. In mediation, the parties engage an independent 3rd party to facilitate settlement – but settlement is typically voluntary. In arbitration, the parties agree to be heard by an independent, qualified arbitrator, and to abide by the decision of the arbitrator.
What is Litigation?
In US law, one party can bring a lawsuit against another party in court. In civil cases, the party bringing the suit — called the plaintiff — generally claims to have incurred loss through actions of the other party – the defendant. In criminal cases, the state — whose legal representative is called ‘the prosecution’ — charges the defendant with breaking the law. The court decides the case; judgement may include remedy of the loss and damages in civil cases, or sentencing in criminal cases, plus injunctions to force action and other legal consequences. The overall conduct of a lawsuit is called ‘litigation.’ The parties on both sides are generically ‘litigants’, and the attorneys who represent them are ‘litigators.’
Rent-To-Own Agreements
Picture this agreement between two players in a board game: ‘If you land on my property 10 times, pay $5 more each time, and then you can buy it for $200.’ The first player still owns the property for those 10 turns, but the second player has secured a set price and (potentially) first-in-line status to buy. It’s more complicated than just paying rent, and it has a different set of risks than just selling and buying. The final deal is set in the future, and is less predictable. These two players have basically constructed a rent-to-own agreement. They have a rental agreement, with an option-to-buy agreement attached. Rent-to-own agreements are used in the real world as well, for things ranging from cars to buildings. Rent-to-own gives parties a different set of tools and risks to reach agreement. They can be complex, and legal advice may be prudent.
Rental Application Rights
A landlord renting a property has rights in selecting a tenant. Tenants also have rights about the factors that can be considered in selection. While most landlord-tenant issues are governed by states and localities, Federal fair housing laws apply to tenant selection. Landlords must apply legal selection standards equally to all applicants. Tenant applications can’t be rejected based on race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, family status, or mental or physical disability. Written rental applications are not required by law, but they give a basis for fair and consistent screening. If a rejected tenant challenges the decision, documentation of a justifiable decision may negate the challenge.
