A Look at Brangelina's Divorce: How Divorce Affects Your Estate Plan
Edmund Vincent Yan
I help families create the most complete living trust without the complicated legal process
On September 20, 2016, news broke of the divorce between Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. The high-profile split of the world-famous Hollywood couple Brangelina teach us some key lessons about how divorce can affect your estate planning. For Brangelina, their 12-year relationship reportedly amounted to over $550 million in earnings between the two, according to Forbes. Although the average person does not have that much money to worry about in a divorce, it is definitely worth the time to amend your estate plan with your estate planning attorney so that it reflects your current life accurately.
Fortunately for Brangelina, their prenuptial agreement signed before their marriage in 2014 allowed them to avoid financial and legal conflicts over their finances and properties. But it is easy to forget that your ex-spouse may still be entitled to receive a portion of your estate if he/she is listed in your will or living trust. Here are 3 steps to take to ensure that your estate plan matches your most current interests and wishes, especially if you don’t want your ex-spouse to inherit your assets upon your death.