Legal Tea
Legal Tea brings you estate and elder law wisdom without the stuffy lawyer speak. Every Tuesday, Attorney Jenny Rozelle dishes out 15-minute episodes of real-world stories, practical advice, and lessons learned from the frontlines.
A sought-after speaker known for making estate and elder law accessible and even enjoyable, Jenny brings her signature blend of expertise and relatability to every episode. Because who says learning about estate and elder law can't be a little fun?
Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by listening to this podcast. Please consult with a licensed attorney regarding your individual circumstances.
Episodes
249 episodes
Episode 249. Cautionary Tales - To Gift or Not to Gift
Gifting during your lifetime can be a powerful planning tool, but it’s also one of the easiest ways to unintentionally create tax issues, lose control, or derail long-term care plans. In this episode, we break down when gifting works, when it b...
Episode 248. Celebrity Estate Planning - Estate of Jerry Garcia
This episode explores the life and legacy of Jerry Garcia, from his rise with the Grateful Dead to the complex estate battles that followed his death. It highlights how—even with a Will in place—family dynamics, informal agreements, and valuabl...
Episode 247. Current Trends - Trusts & Estates on the Bar Exam … Or Not!
The upcoming NextGen Bar Exam is changing the way new lawyers are tested, and Trusts & Estates is losing its spotlight as a standalone subject. In this episode, we explore what that means for consumers, law students, and the general legal p...
Episode 246. Cautionary Tales - The Hidden Risk of Beneficiary Designations
Avoiding probate by adding beneficiary designations to everything might sound smart—but it can leave your Executor stuck trying to pay bills with little or no money in the estate. In this episode, we break down how this common strategy can back...
Episode 245. Celebrity Estate Planning - Estate of Greg Biffle
Greg Biffle’s life was full throttle, but his estate plan ... or lack thereof ... was anything but. In this episode, we unpack how dying without a Will has set his estate on a complex path, spotlighting probate, legal claims, and lessons about ...
Episode 244. Current Trends - Late-Life Marriage Meets Estate Planning
Later-in-life marriages are on the rise, but many couples don’t realize that saying “I do” can immediately change legal rights to their assets and even override parts of an existing estate plan. In this episode, we unpack why prenuptial agreeme...
Episode 243. Cautionary Tales - The Power (and Peril) of a Power of Attorney
This episode is all about treading carefully with Powers of Attorney. Learn how to choose the right agent, understand what authority you’re granting, and make sure your document actually works - so you’re prepared and protected when it matters ...
Episode 242. Celebrity Estate Planning - Vanderbilt Family Estate, Part 3
In the final installment of the Vanderbilt family series, we explore how the fortune founded by Cornelius Vanderbilt ultimately faded as it was divided across generations without a unifying structure. The episode wraps up with the broader...
Episode 241. Celebrity Estate Planning - Vanderbilt Family Estate, Part 2
In Part 2 of this series, we examine how the next generation—including Cornelius Vanderbilt II and William Kissam Vanderbilt—inherited extraordinary wealth but managed it in increasingly divided ways. As control, priorities, and assets fr...
Episode 240. Celebrity Estate Planning - Vanderbilt Family Estate, Part 1
In Part 1 of this series, we look at how Cornelius Vanderbilt built an extraordinary American fortune and made bold estate planning choices to keep it intact. We then examine how his son, William Henry Vanderbilt, expanded that wealth but set i...
Episode 239. Current Trends - The Estate Planning Crisis Nobody's Talking About
If you've ever thought "I don't want to burden my kids with being my Executor," you're not alone - but finding a professional to serve instead is harder than you think. Today we're talking about the growing shortage of professionals willing to ...
Episode 238. Cautionary Tales - Attorney Retired or Died. Now What?
Your attorney retired or died – now what? Learn how to protect your original documents, navigate the transition to a new lawyer, and why choosing the right estate planning attorney matters more than you think.Sources and an episode trans...
Episode 237. Celebrity Estate Planning - Estate of Lou Reed
Lou Reed’s music was anything but conventional - but his estate plan was. In this episode, we unpack how a legendary artist’s reliance on a Last Will and Testament led to public probate, exposed finances, and key lessons about privacy, royaltie...
Episode 236. Current Trends - Surprise Heirs: When DNA Tests Meet Estate Planning
Consumer DNA tests are uncovering surprise heirs and creating unexpected legal battles in estate administration. Learn how modern technology is reshaping inheritance, family dynamics, and the importance of clear estate planning.Sources a...
Episode 235. Cautionary Tales - The Danger of Last-Minute Planning
Estate planning done in crisis mode rarely goes as planned. Hear how one family's delayed action led to rejected documents, surprise complications, and lost control—and what you can learn from their mistakes. Sources and an episode ...
Episode 234. Celebrity Estate Planning - Estate of DMX (Earl Simmons)
DMX’s life was complicated—and so was his estate. This episode breaks down what happened after his death, the legal battles that followed, and the estate planning lessons hiding inside one very messy situation.Sources and episode transcr...
Episode 233. Current Trends - When Tragedy Meets the Law: The Reiner Case
Using the Rob and Michele Reiner case as a real-world example, this episode explains how the Slayer Rule and simultaneous death provisions can shape inheritance after tragedy - and why these rules also affect everyday families, not just headlin...
Episode 232. Cautionary Tales - Avoiding the Post-Death Scramble
When someone passes away, there's always work to do—but families shouldn't have to spend weeks hunting for accounts, guessing passwords, and piecing together a financial puzzle. This episode covers practical steps to get organized now: simplify...
Episode 231. Celebrity Estate Planning - Estate of George Foreman
From heavyweight champion to grill icon, George Foreman built a massive fortune ... and a surprisingly private estate plan. This episode breaks down what we know, what we don’t, and the estate planning lessons hiding in that silence. <...
Episode 230. Current Trends - Your Annual Estate Plan Checkup
Kick off the year with an estate planning reset! In this episode, we walk through a practical yearly review - covering foundational estate planning documents and other related elements - to make sure your plan is current, accurate, and st...
Episode 229. Cautionary Tales - They're Not Doing Well. Now What?
Maybe you noticed concerning changes in your parent or loved one over the holidays. Like: memory issues, confusion, or physical decline. This episode walks you through what to do next, from having the hard conversations to getting legal affairs...
Episode 228. Celebrity Estate Planning - Estate of Wellington Burt
In this episode, discover the story of Wellington Burt, a lumber tycoon who locked away his massive fortune for decades with a 'spite clause' ensuring the family members he resented never saw a dime—the ultimate revenge from beyond the gr...
Episode 227. Current Trends - Filial Responsibility Laws: A Sleeping Giant?
Filial responsibility laws can make adult children legally responsible for their parents’ care costs. In this episode, we break down when these laws apply, how they’re enforced, real-life examples, and practical steps you can take to protect yo...
Episode 226. Cautionary Tales - The Family Farm That Got Away
In this episode, we unpack a heartbreaking story of how a few missing estate planning documents led to the loss of a multi-generation family farm. It’s a powerful reminder that when you don’t make a plan, the law makes one for you—and it doesn’...
Episode 225. Celebrity Estate Planning - Estate of Hulk Hogan (Terry Gene Bollea)
In this episode, we dive into wrestling legend Hulk Hogan's estate after his 2025 death, uncovering the surprising reason his daughter was not included and what we can learn about family communication in estate planning.Sources and episo...
