LThis past weekend, I was deep-cleaning our old house to get it ready to rent. As I peeled off the frosted window film we’d added years ago to keep our dogs from barking at everything outside, I pulled down the blinds overhead. There were gaps and bent slats everywhere, damage from life with three very curious and 

Tuesday Triage

January 13, 2025

Hi there,

 

This past weekend, I was deep-cleaning our old house to get it ready to rent. As I peeled off the frosted window film we’d added years ago to keep our dogs from barking at everything outside, I pulled down the blinds overhead. There were gaps and bent slats everywhere, damage from life with three very curious and enthusiastic dogs.

 

And I thought: this is what a lot of estate plans look like.

 

When we bought that house, the blinds were perfect. I felt relieved. Done. But then life happened, namely, Artie, Hopper and Collin, and the blinds didn’t hold up.

 

A lot of estate plans are the same way.

 

Maybe you have a beautiful estate planning binder you received when everything was freshly signed. Maybe you felt proud and finished. But then life changed, and the plan didn’t. Now there are gaps that frustrate you, or even make you a little sad.

 

Business interests are one of the most common places those gaps show up.

 

If you own a business interest—whether it’s a family business, company stock, or equity you received through work—there are three questions you should be able to answer without guessing:

 

1. Who actually owns it?
Contributing money or working in the business doesn’t automatically equal ownership. The owner is the person listed in the company’s records, not the person who assumes they should be.

 

2. What exactly is it?
Is the interest voting or non-voting? Does it come with profit rights but no control? Are there restrictions on who can inherit it? Many people are surprised to learn their spouse may not be allowed to receive the interest at all.

 

3. What happens when life changes?
Death, termination, divorce, or retirement often trigger forced buybacks, restrictions, or tax consequences. What does your company's agreement say?

 

If you can’t confidently answer those questions, or if you’re just repeating what HR or your boss told you, this episode is for you.

Missing information is what turns moments of transition into moments of crisis.

A perfect-looking estate plan can still be full of gaps. The Death Readiness Playbook helps you identify what’s missing, organize the details that matter, and make sure the people you love aren’t left guessing.

Thanks for being here.