Biggerpockets Money Podcast

How important are beneficiary designations? What happens if you die without a will? What are intestate succession laws? Death is a subject that most people want to avoid, especially when it intersects with finances. Unfortunately, these are necessary questions to ask, as your legacy is at stake, and taking just a few hours to plan could save your family thousands of hours after you pass. When guest and long-time friend Renee received the call that her husband of nine years had passed unexpectedly, she was left to deal with not only her own grief but also the financial implications of her husband’s death. While the two had discussed death and finances on multiple occasions, little did they know that a common financial error would create a logistical nightmare—one that would lead to ongoing legal battles and fractured relationships. In today’s episode, Renee joins us to tell her story and stress the importance of planning for the unexpected. We cover things like beneficiary designations, wills, living trusts, a