Shannen Doherty’s Story Shows Why Estate Planning During Divorce Can’t Wait
Shannen Doherty, the beloved actress from Beverly Hills, 90210 and Charmed, left behind more than just a Hollywood legacy when she passed in July 2024—she left behind an important lesson about estate planning during divorce.
Just one day before her death, she finalized her divorce from Kurt Iswarienko. This last-minute decision ensured her estate—including her $6 million Malibu home and future acting royalties—was protected and distributed according to her wishes.
Had the divorce not been finalized, her soon-to-be ex could have had a legal claim to much of her estate under California’s community property laws. Instead of a smooth transition for her loved ones, there could have been court battles, delays, and stress.
Her story is a wake-up call: If you're going through a divorce, updating your estate plan is just as important as finalizing your settlement.
Common Estate Planning Mistakes During Divorce
Many people assume that once they’re divorced, everything falls into place automatically. That’s far from the truth. Here are some of the biggest mistakes that can leave you (and your loved ones) unprotected:
❌ Forgetting to Update Beneficiary Designations
Divorce doesn’t always remove your ex as a beneficiary. Depending on the state and the type of account, your ex could still inherit your 401(k), life insurance, or bank accounts unless you actively change the paperwork.
❌ Ignoring Digital Assets
From cryptocurrency and online banking to social media and cloud storage, digital assets matter. If you don’t update access information, your loved ones may struggle to retrieve important accounts—or worse, your ex could still have control.
❌ Not Updating Power of Attorney & Healthcare Directives
If your ex was listed as your medical or financial decision-maker, that doesn’t always change automatically after divorce. Without an update, your ex could still have legal authority over your medical care or finances if you become incapacitated.
How to Protect Your Assets During Divorce
✔ Take Inventory of Your Assets
Know what you own, what’s joint property, and what needs to be retitled or reassigned. I help clients with this step as part of my Life & Legacy PlanningⓇ process.
✔ Review & Change Beneficiaries
Your will doesn’t control who gets your retirement accounts, life insurance, or payable-on-death bank accounts—your beneficiary designations do. Make sure they reflect your wishes.
✔ Create a Life & Legacy Plan
A divorce is a major life event. Your estate plan should reflect your new reality. I help clients update their plans so their assets and future care are truly in their hands.
Take Action Before It’s Too Late
Shannen Doherty’s story is a reminder that timing matters. Estate planning during divorce isn’t just paperwork—it’s peace of mind.
📅 Schedule a 15-minute consultation today to ensure your estate plan reflects your future, not your past.
This article is a service of Starsia Law, a Personal Family Lawyer® Firm. We don’t just draft documents; we ensure you make informed and empowered decisions about life and death, for yourself and the people you love. That's why we offer a Life & Legacy Planning Session™, during which you will get more financially organized than you’ve ever been before and make all the best choices for the people you love.
The content is sourced from Personal Family Lawyer® for use by Personal Family Lawyer® firms, a source believed to be providing accurate information. This material was created for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as ERISA, tax, legal, or investment advice. If you are seeking legal advice specific to your needs, such advice services must be obtained on your own separate from this educational material.