Recently, I listened to a Mel Robbins podcast interview with psychologist Dr. Marc Brackett. One idea stuck with me: Anger often comes from a perceived injustice. I've been thinking about that ever since.

Death Readiness Dispatch

July 29, 2026

Hi there,

 

Recently, I listened to Mel Robbins' podcast interview with psychologist Dr. Marc Brackett. One idea stuck with me: Anger often arises from a perceived injustice. I've been thinking about that ever since.

 

For the last fourteen years, I've worked with families after the death of a loved one. Every Will contest, trust dispute, or probate disagreement has its own legal issues, but they often begin in the same place.

 

Someone believes something unfair happened, they didn't receive what their loved one intended, or another family member manipulated the situation. The legal arguments may be different, but the emotional starting point is often the same: This isn't fair.

The next chapter is here.

While we can't control every family dynamic, we can do a great deal to reduce the opportunities for conflict. That's exactly what good estate planning is designed to do. Which brings me to some exciting news... Mastroianni Legacy Law, PLLC, is officially open and accepting Tennessee estate planning clients.

 

If you're in Tennessee and ready to move from learning about estate planning to actually creating an estate plan, I'd love to help. Consider this your invitation!

What happens when the original Will is missing

One of the easiest ways for that “This isn't fair” feeling to take root is when no one can find the original Will. Many people assume a photocopy or PDF is enough. But in Tennessee, Michigan (and many other states) if the original Will can't be found after someone dies, the law presumes that the person intentionally destroyed it because they wanted to revoke it. 

If no one can overcome that presumption, the probate estate may be distributed under the state’s intestacy laws instead of according to the missing Will. Here are 4 simple steps you can take today that could save your family years of uncertainty, expense, and conflict.

✅ Find your original Will.
✅ Make sure it's stored somewhere secure.
✅ Tell your Executor exactly where it is.

✅ Make sure your Executor can access it after you’re gone.

Why Your Original Will Matters More Than You Think

From Probate to True Crime

This week, I explain what happens when an original Will goes missing and why that simple fact can change who inherits an estate.

 

Along the way, I share:

⚖️ How courts decide whether a missing Will was revoked,

🏡 A recent Michigan appellate case involving a missing original Will,

🔍 And a Tennessee probate case that unexpectedly became a true crime story.

Thanks for being here.

PS: My current office overlooks the lake and comes with three furry coworkers. They're wonderful listeners, but I wouldn't trust them to locate an original Will.