HBO’s Game of Thrones has made quite the cultural impact, resonating with both fans and critics alike. Aside from a rabid fanbase (who are still crying over The Red Wedding), the show sat atop the Emmy throne this morning after earning 19 nominations, including Best Drama Series, Writing, and Direction. Westeros is a land of dueling kings, giants, and even dragons, but what it lacks is estate planning. Given the amount of characters who have died unexpectedly, an estate planning attorney could really have helped settle this game of thrones. (Spoilers to follow for the first 4 seasons.)

Robert Barratheon was too much of a drunk to ever do estate planning, and his deathbed attempt at a last will and testament wasn’t enough to get his wishes followed. If Robert had planned ahead better, he could have essentially made honorable Ned Stark the “trustee” of Joffrey, or if he knew how awful little Joffrey was, he could have devised the crown to his other son, Tommen. If Robert had used a trust, he could have passed his estate while avoiding probate. Probate in Westeros involves significantly more beheadings than Florida probate, but it is still a process you want to avoid if you can.

The cunning Lannisters always pay their debts and are the family that exercises estate planning tendencies. Patriarch Tywin Lannister is constantly figuring out how to protect the family’s riches through the generations. Whether through marriage or just taking it, Tywin is constantly concerned with his family’s lands and vast wealth. Through his Westerosi estate planning, he’s also able to keep his least favorite son Tyrion from inheriting part of his estate.

The family most in need of estate planning is the Starks, since they’re being wiped off the map at a rapid rate. Following Ned’s shocking beheading, the estate passed likely how Ned would have wanted, with his oldest son Robb taking control of almost everything. However, Robb quickly followed in his father’s footsteps, with who controls Winterfell up for grabs. Since Ned’s daughters are now the Starks in Winterfell, all the families are trying to marry them in hopes of controlling the North. If Nedd had just put his estate in a trust, he could control what happens to it across generations, keeping Sansa and Arya protected and making sure that their inheritance could not be affected by marriage or divorce. (Sorry Little Finger.)

But you don’t live in Westeros; you live in Florida, where the estate planning firm of Wild Feliz & Partners can help you be prepared for any situation. Whether it is creating a trust to protect your assets across generations or just having a will so that you and not the state controls what happens, our experienced attorneys will work with you to make estate planning a painless process and make sure you and your loved ones are protected. Because if Game of Thrones has taught us anything, you need to expect the unexpected.

For more information on successful Florida estate planning and asset protection techniques, please contact the South Florida law firm of Wild Felice & Partners, P.A. at 954-944-2855 to schedule your free consultation.

It’s a Wild world. Are you protected? (SM)