82 Toothpicks
Explore the wild world of estate planning as seen in movies and TV shows. Watch and listen along as we unpack iconic legal moments—from dramatic will readings to messy inheritance battles—and separate fact from fiction with real-life legal insights. Whether you love true stories or Hollywood drama, we’ll help you see estate planning in a whole new way!
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Remember Me? Legacy, Music, and Estate Planning Lessons from Coco
08/22/2025
Remember Me? Legacy, Music, and Estate Planning Lessons from Coco
Can a Pixar film about singing skeletons 🎸💀 really teach you something about legacy and elder law? In this heartfelt episode of 🎙82 Toothpicks, Ethan, Thad, and Joselyn dive into Coco, the visually stunning, tearjerking tale of family, memory, and what it means to truly be remembered. As Miguel journeys through the Land of the Dead to uncover his family’s secrets, the hosts explore how Coco unpacks everything from guardianship and control to intergenerational caregiving and the emotional power of storytelling. And yes -- there’s also a Who Said It? quote battle, hot takes on Ernesto’s villainy, and a surprising amount of tequila for a kids' movie. 💡 Key takeaways: ✅ Backwards estate planning: when the deceased still control the living ✅ Dementia planning: and how music can unlock forgotten memories ✅ Legacy through story: who carries your memory, and what happens when they don’t ✅ Guardianship and caregiving in multigenerational households 🎶 Whether you’re a Disney parent, an estate planner, or just cry every time someone sings “Remember Me,” this episode will hit you in the feels -- and maybe even make you rethink who you’re naming in your power of attorney. 🎧 Subscribe to 82 Toothpicks, share the episode with someone who loves Coco, and check out our free resources at . 🎬 Is your favorite movie an estate planning movie? Tune in next week to find out!
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Spotlights, Sabotage, and Estate Planning from the Big Top: Lessons from The Greatest Showman
08/15/2025
Spotlights, Sabotage, and Estate Planning from the Big Top: Lessons from The Greatest Showman
Step right up! In this episode of 🎙 82 Toothpicks, Thad, Ethan, Joselyn, and special guest Amber take center stage to explore the dazzling musical The Greatest Showman and uncover legacy lessons behind the curtain. From PT Barnum’s scrappy rise to the circus spotlight to Zac Efron’s 10% savings strategy, the team dives into what this film gets right (and wrong) about family, fortune, and planning for the unexpected. Between high-flying stunts and heartbreak on stage, you’ll hear how estate planning themes like guardianship, legacy vs. reputation, and powers of attorney show up in the unlikeliest places. Spoiler: even a trapeze romance can teach you something about medical decision-making. 💡 Key takeaways: ✅ Dying without a plan—why every parent needs a will and guardianship provisions ✅ Business succession and asset protection when dreams turn to ashes ✅ Legacy vs. ego—what are you really building? ✅ Powers of attorney and who decides when someone lands in the hospital Plus: circus trivia, unfiltered reviews of Jenny Lind’s motives (👀), and one big question—are you creating a legacy, or just chasing applause? 🎧 Love turning popcorn flicks into practical wisdom? Subscribe to 82 Toothpicks, share the episode, and grab a free copy of It’s Not Too Late at itsnottoolatebooks.com. 🎬 Every movie is an estate planning movie—don’t miss the next one!
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Sword Fights, Succession Plans, and the Estate Planning Wisdom of The Princess Bride
08/08/2025
Sword Fights, Succession Plans, and the Estate Planning Wisdom of The Princess Bride
“Inconceivable!” that a fantasy adventure could double as an estate planning masterclass? Not so fast. This week on 🎙82 Toothpicks, Thad, Ethan, and Joselyn break down the cult classic The Princess Bride and uncover the unexpected legal lessons hiding behind Miracle Max, wedding crashes, and swordplay. From the rotating legacy of the Dread Pirate Roberts to the royal scheming of Prince Humperdinck, this episode dives into how inheritance, guardianship, and personal property all show up in this beloved film. The crew laughs their way through iconic scenes (yes, we’re still quoting “You keep using that word...”), debates the best lines, and highlights estate planning themes that hit surprisingly close to home. 💡 Key takeaways: ✅ Business succession planning with the legendary Dread Pirate Roberts ✅ Probate pressure and forced royal marriages for political gain ✅ Heirlooms, homicide, and honoring history through personal property bequests ✅ Powers of attorney and capacity, especially when someone’s only “mostly dead” 🎮 Plus: A lightning round of Princess Bride trivia, finish-the-quote madness, and a reminder that even fantasy flicks can spark real-world planning conversations. 🎧 Ready to turn movie night into a legacy lesson? Subscribe to 82 Toothpicks, share with your fellow film buffs, and grab our free legacy resources at . 💍 Marriage (and good planning) is what brings us together today. 🎬 Every movie is an estate planning movie. Don’t miss the next one!
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Stranger Than Fiction: What If You Knew Your Ending? Estate Planning Lessons from Harold Crick’s Story
08/01/2025
Stranger Than Fiction: What If You Knew Your Ending? Estate Planning Lessons from Harold Crick’s Story
for resources to secure your own legacy. 🎬 Every movie is an estate planning movie - don’t miss the next one!
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Cherry Pan-Ties, Safari Hijinks, and the Hidden Estate Planning Lessons of Blended
07/03/2025
Cherry Pan-Ties, Safari Hijinks, and the Hidden Estate Planning Lessons of Blended
for free resources to protect your legacy - no safari required. 🎬 Every movie is an estate planning movie. Don’t miss the next one!
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Foul Water, Big Money, and One Relentless Paralegal: Estate Planning Lessons from Erin Brockovich
06/23/2025
Foul Water, Big Money, and One Relentless Paralegal: Estate Planning Lessons from Erin Brockovich
Think 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. 💡 Key takeaways: ✅ 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 for free resources to protect your own legacy. 🎬 Every movie is an estate planning movie—don’t miss the next one!
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Singing Hymns and Hiding a Body: Estate Planning Lessons from Bernie
07/11/2025
Singing Hymns and Hiding a Body: Estate Planning Lessons from Bernie
🔍💼 Jack Black, murder, and a will gone wrong? This week on 🎙 82 Toothpicks, we dive into the darkly hilarious true-crime comedy Bernie to uncover the real-life estate planning lessons lurking beneath East Texas charm—and a freezer full of secrets. Whether you love quirky small-town stories or just want to learn what not to do with a power of attorney, this episode is packed with surprises (and a few gasps). Join Ethan, Thad, and Joselyn as they break down the tangled legal drama behind Bernie Tiede’s relationship with Marjorie Nugent, including: ✅ The ethics of inheritance and undue influence ✅ How holographic wills can trigger probate chaos ✅ Why a power of attorney isn’t a license to spend freely ✅ The warning signs of financial elder abuse and diminished capacity 🎬 Timestamps to explore: 00:10 – Why Bernie is the ultimate estate planning movie 28:00 – The courtroom drama: murder, motive, and money 48:00 – Real-life lessons: what would you do as the lawyer? 💡 Key Takeaway: Estate planning isn’t just paperwork—it’s about protecting people when emotions, power, and money collide. 🎧 If you’ve ever wondered how Hollywood gets estate planning right (or hilariously wrong), this episode is for you. Subscribe to 82 Toothpicks on your favorite podcast app, and visit for free resources and past episodes. 🎬🦷 Every movie is an estate planning movie—don’t miss the next one!
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Dancing on the Bar—and the Edge of a Legal Cliff: Estate Planning Lessons from Coyote Ugly
07/04/2025
Dancing on the Bar—and the Edge of a Legal Cliff: Estate Planning Lessons from Coyote Ugly
. 👍 If you enjoyed the show, follow us wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss an episode. And if you’re watching on YouTube, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and ring the bell. 🎬 And remember—every movie is an estate planning movie!
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Pearls, Prom, and Probate: Lessons from 10 Things I Hate About You
06/27/2025
Pearls, Prom, and Probate: Lessons from 10 Things I Hate About You
What do Prada backpacks, prom dates, and unclaimed pearls have in common? In this episode of 82 Toothpicks, we're diving into 10 Things I Hate About You to uncover the estate planning lessons hidden beneath the teen drama and Shakespearean banter. It’s not just about high school heartbreak—when Kat and Bianca’s mom is mysteriously absent, the real question becomes: who gets what, and why? Ethan, Thad, and Joselyn unpack the subtle (and not-so-subtle) legacy themes in this '90s favorite, including sibling squabbles over heirlooms, the importance of clarity in who owns what, and how often families are left guessing when there’s no estate plan in place. Alongside quoting their favorite lines and debating who really won the movie trivia showdown, the hosts highlight why even the lightest teen comedies can reflect real-life estate issues—especially when someone’s “just helping themselves” to mom’s pearls from the drawer. 💼 Estate planning keywords: inheritance, family dynamics, missing parent, personal property disputes 🎬 Featured film: 10 Things I Hate About You 🕰️ Highlights: [21:22] Missing parent = messy assumptions [22:26] “I found them in a drawer” – why that doesn’t hold up in court [28:11] Movie gets a surprising “laugh-cry-think” score from the team Love a movie with legal implications? Subscribe, share, and never miss a cinematic estate planning breakdown. 🎧 More at
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Running Toward Legacy: Forrest Gump Through an Estate Planning Lens
06/20/2025
Running Toward Legacy: Forrest Gump Through an Estate Planning Lens
🎙️ 82 Toothpicks | Estate Planning Meets the Movies Is Forrest Gump the most estate planning-packed movie ever made? In this episode of 82 Toothpicks, the team dives into the legendary 1994 film Forrest Gump and uncovers the legacy lessons hidden in plain sight. From inheritance ethics to posthumous generosity, this surprisingly rich estate planning discussion will change how you view Forrest’s life -- and Jenny’s choices. Join Thad, Ethan, and Joselyn as they explore key estate planning themes like death as a catalyst for legacy, honoring promises after loss, and unconventional wealth transfers (hello, Bubba’s mom and that “fruit company” stock!). You'll hear how Forrest consistently “does the right thing” even when the people around him don’t, highlighting the heart of what real legacy looks like. They also tackle tough questions: Was Jenny the villain? Was Forrest really the smartest man in the Army? And yes, they settle once and for all what Jenny likely died from, and why it matters to the story. 🔑 Key Takeaways: The shrimping business as a case study in legacy fulfillment Gifting wealth with integrity (and without paperwork) The real power of “doing what you promised” 🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe to 82 Toothpicks and check out Ethan’s book It’s Not Too Late for practical tips on securing your legacy. And remember: every movie is an estate planning movie.
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Spare No Expense: Legacy Lessons from Jurassic Park
06/13/2025
Spare No Expense: Legacy Lessons from Jurassic Park
What does Jurassic Park have to do with estate planning? A surprising amount. In this episode of 82 Toothpicks, Ethan, Joselyn, and Thad dig into the dinosaur blockbuster that defined the '90s and uncover the legacy-building (and breaking) choices behind John Hammond’s grand vision. From chaotic park mishaps to a very expensive dream built for future generations, Jurassic Park is more than just raptors and T-Rexes—it’s a case study in unchecked ambition, poor succession planning, and the ethics of inheritance. We explore how legacy can be about more than money—how it’s often rooted in values, vision, and yes, even cloned dinosaurs. The team also touches on the cautionary tale of Dennis Nedry and what happens when key players in your “estate plan” have competing interests. 🎯 Topics include: – The dangers of building a legacy without safeguards – How life changes (like divorce) can impact estate planning – What “spare no expense” really looks like without a plan for sustainability If you’ve ever wondered how estate planning shows up in unexpected places—or just want to laugh through your legal education—this episode is for you. 🎧 Subscribe to 82 Toothpicks, leave us a review, and visit for free estate planning resources and more episodes. And remember: every movie is an estate planning movie.
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The Shawshank Redemption — Inheritance, Legacy, and the Power of Planning
06/06/2025
The Shawshank Redemption — Inheritance, Legacy, and the Power of Planning
🎙️ 82 Toothpicks | Estate Planning Meets the Movies What does The Shawshank Redemption teach us about inheritance, legacy, and long-term planning? In this powerful episode of 82 Toothpicks, Ethan, Thad, and Joselyn explore one of the most celebrated films of all time—not just as a prison drama, but as a story rich in estate planning themes. From the unexpected tax consequences of an inheritance to the ethics of power and control, this episode digs deep. The team unpacks how an inmate with a rock hammer and a plan ends up influencing an entire institution—and how a hidden box under a rock becomes the perfect metaphor for a trust. Along the way, they discuss the Slayer Rule, death as a legal trigger, and why instructions left behind (like Andy’s) matter just as much as any legal document. 💼 Legal Themes Covered: Inheritance and tax planning Trusts as tools for legacy and empowerment Estate planning analogies drawn from Andy’s escape How death triggers key legal and financial processes 🎬 Highlights: [6:00] Inheritance taxes and rooftop negotiations [26:00] Trusts and legacy through Andy’s buried instructions [33:00] Full ratings using the “laugh, cry, think” system If you’ve ever thought estate planning was dry, this episode will change your mind. 👉 Follow us on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, and if you’re watching on YouTube, like, subscribe, and click the bell so you never miss an episode. Because every movie is an estate planning movie—you just have to know where to look.
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The Wizard of Oz: Probate, Power, and the Man Behind the Curtain
05/30/2025
The Wizard of Oz: Probate, Power, and the Man Behind the Curtain
Is The Wizard of Oz secretly about estate planning? In this episode of 82 Toothpicks, the team dives down the Yellow Brick Road to explore how one of the most iconic films of all time reveals surprising truths about probate, legacy, and the illusion of control. Hosts Ethan, Thad, and Joselyn uncover key estate planning lessons hiding behind the technicolor magic—from death as a triggering event (hello, falling house) to the deeper question of who holds real power when the curtain gets pulled back. They break down the difference between perceived authority and actual planning, touching on the Wizard’s role as a stand-in for advisors who point out what’s already there. ❓ Thought question: Are Dorothy’s ruby slippers the perfect metaphor for inherited assets? 💼 Topics Covered: Death as a legal trigger Legacy planning and the Wizard’s “gifts” Probate and who holds authority in a crisis Trusts then and now: from Rockefeller to regular folks ✨ Favorite moment? [28:26] — Ethan discusses how probate still follows you over the rainbow. If you’ve ever wanted to understand estate planning through flying monkeys and ruby slippers, this one’s for you. 👉 Like what you hear? Follow us on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, and don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell on YouTube so you never miss an episode.
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Disney's The Lion King: Succession, Scar, and the Slayer Statute
05/23/2025
Disney's The Lion King: Succession, Scar, and the Slayer Statute
🎙️ 82 Toothpicks | Estate Planning Meets the Movies What does The Lion King teach us about inheritance, legacy, and the estate planning consequences of murder? In this debut episode of 82 Toothpicks, estate planning attorney Ethan Huizenga and his team (Thad and Joselyn) dive into Disney’s animated masterpiece to uncover the surprisingly rich legal themes hidden behind the Hakuna Matata. From royal succession to the concept of a “legacy statement,” the hosts unpack how this classic tale mirrors real-world estate planning challenges. They discuss what happens when someone like Scar jumps the line of inheritance—and how real laws like the Slayer Statute would deal with that. Plus, they explore the emotional impact of legacy: what we pass on that’s more than money. 💼 Topics Covered: Succession and changing heirs Legacy planning beyond assets Slayer statutes in estate law Lessons from Mufasa’s celestial cameo 🎧 Key Moments: [18:30] Why Scar wouldn’t legally inherit the throne [20:00] What Mufasa’s message teaches about legacy statements [21:10] Real-life consequences of murder in inheritance law If you’ve ever cried when Mufasa died or debated whether Simba or Scar had the stronger claim, this one’s for you. Listen to the end to learn the hosts' movie rating system and find out how they ranked The Lion King. Then let us know how you ranked it! 👉 Subscribe now, leave a review, and follow us for more legal insights from your favorite films. Every movie is about estate planning—you just have to know where to look.
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