This Legal Expert Is Teaching Families How To Avoid Probate Court
This Legal Expert Is Teaching Families How To Prepare for Death—Without Losing Everything And Avoiding Probate Court [Exclusive]
Jehan Crump-Gibson is an accomplished attorney and founder of her own law firm, Greal Lakes Legal Group, PLLC, specializing in business, real estate, and probate law. With over 16 years of experience, she is dedicated to helping individuals protect their legacies and avoid the challenges of probate court. Jehan is also the author of A Matter of Life and Death: How to Handle Family Affairs During Illness and Death and Keep Probate Court Out of Your Business, a book that breaks down the complexities of estate planning in an accessible and relatable way.
In this exclusive MadameNoire interview, Jehan shares her expert insights on the importance of estate planning and debunks common myths and misconceptions that prevent people from preparing for the future. She explains why estate planning is for everyone, not just the wealthy, and offers practical advice to help families avoid the stress and chaos of probate court. Jehan also discusses the inspiration behind her book and how it empowers readers to take control of their affairs, no matter their financial situation.
MadameNoire: What inspired you to write A Matter of Life and Death?
Jehan Crump Gibson: It was a collection of experiences over my 16 years of practicing in probate and estate planning. I’ve seen families torn apart by lack of planning. Even when there’s no family discord, people experience unnecessary stress simply because they didn’t prepare. I’ve hosted many community workshops, and after sharing some “scared straight” stories, people kept saying, “You should write a book!” One day, it hit me—I had to write a book in plain language that people could understand.
There are some brilliant attorneys out there, but how the information is packaged can be overwhelming. They’re using these big, complex legal terms, and people have a hard time digesting and understanding them. So, I decided to write a book that presents everything in plain language. I wanted to tell real stories that people could connect with, and hopefully, that would demonstrate why getting your affairs in order is so important.
And it certainly is digestible and entertaining! Where can people find your book?
You can find it at my website, jehancrumpgibson.com, or on platforms like Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Let’s dive into the next topic: Estate planning. It’s often a taboo subject. Why do you think that is, especially in communities like ours?
It’s generational. Older generations have a general distrust— they typically don’t want to discuss money or plans with others. For younger generations, the issue is that no one wants to think about death. But death is part of life, and we plan for everything else—baby showers, graduations, retirement parties. We need to apply that same foresight to planning for the inevitable.
You make a great point. Death is universal. So, how should that truth change how we think about preparation?
Death is universal, and it doesn’t matter how much wealth you have. An estate is whatever you have—whether it’s a bank account or a car. Estate planning is for everyone, not just the wealthy. And, it’s also about preparing for when you’re alive but can’t manage your affairs due to illness or incapacity.
Let’s talk about the misconception of “Only the wealthy need estate planning.” What do you say to that?
Absolutely untrue. Your estate is what you own, and everyone has one. You don’t have to be rich to need a plan. Estate planning is for managing what you have—whether it’s a house, car, or bank account. If you don’t plan, others may make decisions for you.
You also emphasize that a “will” doesn’t automatically avoid probate court. Could you explain that further?
A will is an instruction sheet, not a get-out-of-jail-free card for probate. If you leave property in your name alone and don’t have the proper beneficiary designations, it will go through probate. A ‘will’ simply tells the court what you want to happen. But it still has to go through the process.
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That’s eye-opening. Many people assume their family will automatically inherit their assets. What’s the truth behind that myth?
The truth is, that’s a dangerous assumption. If your property is in your name alone, it has to go to probate, even if you’re married. I’ve had widows in their 90s who were not on the deed with their husbands. Even though the house was paid off, we had to go to probate. People think everything is automatic, but it’s not.
You also mention the importance of avoiding probate court. Can you explain why it gets so “popping” in probate court?
Probate court can be intense. Emotions are high, and people dig up old family drama. I’ve seen siblings accuse each other of causing a parent’s death, fight over the smallest possessions, or even steal from each other. Probate court is public, so everything gets aired out. It’s messy and, honestly, avoidable if people just plan ahead.
Let’s switch gears a bit. What are the first three steps someone should take to get their estate planning started?
Start by figuring out your “who” and “what.” Who will manage your affairs if you’re incapacitated or after you pass? Who will you leave your assets to? Then, figure out what you have and what you want to happen to it—whether it’s a house, bank accounts, or life insurance policies. Keep it simple, and don’t wait until it’s too late.
