Celebrity Estates · 2026-04-29 · 25 min
Estate planning can appear straightforward until factors like privacy, control and long-term management come into play. What begins as a simple distribution of assets can quickly involve decisions around trusteeship, probate and how to prevent disputes. In this episode of Celebrity Estates, Senior Editor David Lenok speaks with Jennifer Proper, managing director of wealth strategies at Pitcairn, about a case where estate planning worked exactly as intended. Using the estate of actor Matthew Perry as a reference point, Jennifer explains how a revocable trust and pour-over will can function together to maintain privacy, avoid probate and streamline the handling of assets. David and Jennifer also examine the role of trustees, the importance of updating documents over time, and how specific provisions can discourage challenges or fraudulent claims. Their conversation underscores why planning early and reviewing regularly can make a meaningful difference in how an estate is ultimately administered.
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