🎙️ 82 Toothpicks | Estate Planning Meets the Movies

What does The Lion King teach us about inheritance, legacy, and the estate planning consequences of murder? In this debut episode of 82 Toothpicks, estate planning attorney Ethan Huizenga and his team (Thad and Joselyn) dive into Disney’s animated masterpiece to uncover the surprisingly rich legal themes hidden behind the Hakuna Matata.

From royal succession to the concept of a “legacy statement,” the hosts unpack how this classic tale mirrors real-world estate planning challenges. They discuss what happens when someone like Scar jumps the line of inheritance—and how real laws like the Slayer Statute would deal with that. Plus, they explore the emotional impact of legacy: what we pass on that’s more than money.

💼 Topics Covered:

• Succession and changing heirs

• Legacy planning beyond assets

• Slayer statutes in estate law

• Lessons from Mufasa’s celestial cameo

🎧 Key Moments:

• [18:30] Why Scar wouldn’t legally inherit the throne

• [20:00] What Mufasa’s message teaches about legacy statements

• [21:10] Real-life consequences of murder in inheritance law

If you’ve ever cried when Mufasa died or debated whether Simba or Scar had the stronger claim, this one’s for you.

Listen to the end to learn the hosts' movie rating system and find out how they ranked The Lion King. Then let us know how you ranked it!

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