Foul Water, Big Money, and One Relentless Paralegal: Estate Planning Lessons from Erin Brockovich
Release Date: 06/23/2025
CODA: A Family Legacy Caught Between Disability, Business, and Independence
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Ever wonder what happens when a family’s livelihood and a child’s dreams are in direct conflict? The Oscar-winning film CODA is a heartwarming story, but it’s also a masterclass in the complex legal and financial challenges families can face, and we're breaking it all down. This episode, our team of experts explores the tangled web of family business succession, disability rights, and the crucial legal documents that could have protected the Rossi family. Join the 82 Toothpicks team as we analyze the legal nuances behind some of the film's most pivotal moments, from forming a business...
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The Thursday Murder Club: Dementia, DNRs, and a Body That Changes Everything
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What if your retirement community was the setting for a real-life whodunit, and the key to solving the case was hidden in estate planning documents? In this episode, we unpack the delightful mystery, The Thursday Murder Club, where a group of curious seniors puts their cold-case-solving skills to the test when a murder happens in their own backyard. Join us as we explore the surprising legal accuracy behind this story of amateur sleuths, long-buried secrets, and questionable motives. We dive deep into the complexities of community living and the legal situations that arise, from the property...
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When Your Life is a Corporate Asset: Estate Planning Lessons from the Truman Show
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Ever wonder if a corporation could legally adopt a child? In this mind-bending episode, we're pulling back the curtain on the classic 90s film The Truman Show, exploring the bizarre world where one man’s entire existence is a corporate asset, manufactured for entertainment. Join Thad, Ethan, and special guest Amber Huizenga as they untangle the complicated web of legal and ethical chaos in Truman's world. We discuss the wild implications of corporate guardianship, the murky lines of adoption when a company is the parent, and why Truman's life is an estate planning nightmare. This episode...
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Perms, Privilege, and Pet Trusts: Estate Planning in Legally Blonde
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What, like it's hard? We're breaking down the iconic film Legally Blonde to reveal the surprising number of estate planning lessons hidden in plain sight. While this movie is a beloved legal comedy, our team of experts couldn't resist analyzing how the entire murder trial rests on financial motive and inheritance, proving that even in the brightest comedies, legacy is a serious business. Join the 82 Toothpicks team as we bend and snap our way through the legal accuracy (and inaccuracies) of Elle Woods's journey. We’ll explore how a trust fund could have eliminated a motive for murder, the...
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What Scrooge Got Wrong: Estate Planning Lessons from The Muppet Christmas Carol
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What can a frog and a pig teach us about Christmas? What if Ebenezer Scrooge's biggest failing wasn't his lack of holiday spirit, but his terrible estate plan? This week, we're unwrapping the hidden legal lessons in the beloved holiday classic, The Muppet Christmas Carol! Join the 82 Toothpicks team as we go beyond "Bah, Humbug!" to explore how Charles Dickens' timeless tale is packed with surprisingly relevant themes for modern families. We discuss how Scrooge’s journey reflects the real-world motivations for creating a plan, moving...
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Spirited
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Could Will Ferrell ever redeem an unredeemable Ryan Reynolds? In this episode of 82 Toothpicks, we unwrap the holiday musical Spirited and discover what a modern-day Christmas Carol can teach us about legacy and responsibility. It turns out, even a story full of ghosts, time travel, and musical numbers is packed with surprisingly practical estate planning lessons. Join us as we explore the core legal and emotional themes woven throughout the film. We discuss the immense responsibility of guardianship, what happens when someone is unwilling or unable to serve in that role, and how a...
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National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
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Ever wonder what estate planning lessons could be hiding in your favorite holiday comedy? In this episode, the 82 Toothpicks team breaks down the hilarious and chaotic holiday "classic," National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, to uncover surprisingly serious takeaways about preparing for your family's future. Join us as we explore the legal and financial blunders behind Clark Griswold's quest for the perfect family Christmas. We'll dive into the Griswolds' mayhem to discuss core estate planning themes, from financial missteps to questions of incapacity and elder law. This conversation will give...
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Abandoned at Christmas: Legacy Lessons from Home Alone đźŹ
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What happens when an eight-year-old is left behind—and there’s no legal backup plan? In this episode of 82 Toothpicks, the team dives into Home Alone (1990) to unpack the estate planning chaos lurking beneath the Christmas comedy. As Kevin McCallister outwits two burglars and fends for himself, Ethan, Thad, and Joselyn explore the real-world legal questions raised when parents disappear, property is unprotected, and no one has power of attorney. They cover: 🧒 Emergency guardianship and who can legally step in when a minor is home alone 🏠Personal property, home ownership, and...
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How the Grinch Stole Christmas🎄: Grievances, Guardianship, and the Gift of Community
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This week on 82 Toothpicks, the team breaks down How the Grinch Stole Christmas (the 2000 Jim Carrey version) to uncover what happens when resentment, rejection, and unclear community values collide. As the Grinch plots his revenge and Cindy Lou Who searches for something deeper than “stuff,” Ethan, Joselyn, and Thad explore the real-life legal and legacy questions that bubble beneath the Christmas chaos. From the Grinch’s traumatic backstory and abandonment in a basket to the town’s questionable leadership and judgmental culture, this episode asks: who’s really responsible...
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No Capes, No Excuses: The Incredibles and Superpowered Planning for the Modern Family
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🎙️ 82 Toothpicks | Estate Planning Meets the Movies What happens when a superhero dad hits a midlife crisis, a stay-at-home mom stretches herself thin, and their baby literally bursts into flames? This week, the 82 Toothpicks crew tackles The Incredibles, Pixar’s not-just-for-kids classic packed with family tension, secret lairs, and estate planning gold. From the opening lawsuit over an unwanted rescue (hello, living will!) to a late-stage voicemail about a baby with “special needs” (you guessed it—special needs trust), we break down how the Parr family’s real struggles mirror...
info_outlineThink Erin Brockovich is just a David-versus-Goliath legal drama? Think again. In this episode of 🎙 82 Toothpicks, Thad, Ethan, and Jocelyn unpack how this powerhouse true story highlights real-life lessons about wealth, planning, and protecting your family’s future.
Join the conversation as the hosts explore the ethical and legal ripple effects of a $333 million settlement—and why sudden windfalls (like the Jensens’ $5 million award) can cause as many challenges as they solve. You’ll hear why even the most compelling litigation victories need careful estate planning, from setting up a trust for future generations to making sure powers of attorney and guardianships are in place when illness strikes.
đź’ˇ Key takeaways:
âś… Why power of attorney and conservatorships matter when someone is too sick to manage decisions
✅ How a single settlement can—and should—be protected with the right trust planning
✅ What this story teaches about staying true to yourself while fighting for what’s right
Plus, you’ll laugh along with the team’s take on Julia Roberts’ performance, the unforgettable lines (“They’re called boobs, Ed”), and a fun round of true-or-false movie trivia.
🎧 Ready to see estate planning in a whole new light? Subscribe to 82 Toothpicks, share this episode, and visit huizengalaw.com for free resources to protect your own legacy.
🎬 Every movie is an estate planning movie—don’t miss the next one!