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Erik Martin Says

Erik Martin Says

Written by: Erik Martin
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About this listen

Most people would rather talk about literally anything else besides death, wills, probate, or estate planning. That’s exactly why we started this podcast.


Hosted by Texas estate planning attorney Erik Martin and Leslie Downs, Erik Martin Says is a real, honest, and sometimes unexpectedly funny conversation about what happens when you die.


From wills and trusts to family drama, probate horror stories, and the acceptance that none of us are getting out of here alive, this podcast is here to make these conversations feel a little less intimidating and a lot more human. Maybe even, fun?


Whether you already have an estate plan, keep putting it off, or still think “I don’t even have an estate,” you’re in the right place.


It’s death. It’s inevitable. Let’s talk about it and make a plan.

© 2026 Erik Martin Says
Episodes
  • Erik Martin Says: What Happens If you Die Without a Will in Texas?

    Erik Martin Says: What Happens If you Die Without a Will in Texas?
    May 16 2026

    Most people don’t think about an estate plan until it’s too late… mostly because it’s kind of a drag.

    In this first episode of Erik Martin Says, estate planning attorney Erik Martin sits down with Leslie Downs to talk about the question almost everyone avoids:

    What actually happens if you die without a will in Texas? (That is, if you’re lucky enough to be a Texan.)

    This isn’t a legal lecture. It’s a real conversation about what families experience when there’s no plan in place: confusion, court involvement, and decisions being made by the state instead of the people you love.

    Leslie brings the questions most people are thinking but rarely say out loud: “I don’t even have an estate… do I need a plan?” And Erik breaks down what actually happens based on his real-life experience as an estate planning attorney.

    Together, they open the door to conversations most people avoid, but almost everyone needs.

    Because it’s not really about death, it’s about what happens to the people you leave behind.
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    42 mins
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