Why Wills are Critical to Your Estate Plan - Even if You have a Trust
Estimated Reading Time: 6-7 minutes
You’d think a global icon like Chadwick Boseman had everything in order -
Fame. Fortune. Family.
But when he passed away at just 43, his estate revealed a different story, one that millions of families are repeating without realizing it.
He died without a will.
As we mark the anniversary of his passing on August 28,
Boseman’s story gives us a clear message:
No matter how young, how private, or how successful you are -
a missing plan leaves your family vulnerable.
What Really Happened to His Estate?
After Chadwick Boseman’s death from colon cancer, his wife Taylor Simone Ledward had to file paperwork in court to claim what should have already been hers.
The court documents showed only $938,500 in assets, despite his estimated net worth being close to $12 million.
So where did the rest go?
- Most likely: into trusts. That’s good.
- The big red flag: No pour-over will.
Without it, any assets not titled in his trust had to go through probate -
publicly.
What’s a Pour-Over Will, and Why Does It Matter?
Even if you have a trust, a pour-over will:
- Catches everything else
- Transfers it into the trust after you die
- Protects:
- Newly acquired assets you didn’t retitle
- Property that’s harder to transfer while you’re alive (like a car)
- Anything that fell through the cracks
Boseman’s estate didn’t have that safeguard.
As a result, his wife had to go through probate - a public, time-consuming, expensive step that could have been avoided.
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Want to know if your trust is funded and backed up by a pour-over will?
📞Schedule your call with April today—she’ll walk you through what’s missing and how to fix it.
Planning for the “What If” Moments
Estate planning isn’t just about death, it’s also about incapacity.
At any point, you could lose the ability to make decisions for yourself due to illness or accident.
Without the right legal documents, your family has no authority to:
- Access accounts
- Make medical decisions
- Manage property or bills
What you need:
- Medical Power of Attorney
- Living Will
- Durable Financial Power of Attorney
These documents keep your family out of court and allow someone you trust to step in immediately.
Did Chadwick Boseman have these in place?
We may never know, but given the privacy and dignity of his final days, it’s likely he did.
Why This Month Matters
This month, we remember Chadwick Boseman’s legacy - both on screen and off.
It’s also a perfect reminder to protect your own legacy.
By acting today, you:
- Take a positive step for your family’s future
- Avoid court delays, public probate, and unnecessary costs
- Gain peace of mind knowing your plan will actually work
The Lesson
Even with top lawyers and significant wealth,
Chadwick Boseman had a gap in his estate plan.
It cost his loved ones time, privacy, and court involvement.
Most people:
- Think a will is enough
- Don’t know if their trust is funded
- Forget to update documents
- Skip incapacity planning altogether
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This month is the perfect time to take care of this.
📞Book your free 15-minute call with April now and create a plan that works when your family needs it most.
