In this episode of Probate Notes, host Sam Price breaks down the practical realities of marshaling financial accounts during probate administration. The conversation focuses on what executors and administrators must actually do after appointment, including tracking down accounts, working with banks, and gathering the documentation needed to access estate funds without delays or missteps.

The discussion also clarifies the key differences between cash accounts, brokerage accounts, paper securities, and retirement accounts, with special attention to timing, tax implications, and required minimum distributions. Listeners will come away with a clearer understanding of when assets should be liquidated, when they should remain intact, and why patience and persistence are critical throughout the process.

Sam is joined by Jennifer Fejzic, a professional fiduciary with decades of probate experience, who shares real-world insights and hard-earned best practices from managing complex estates.

In this episode, you will hear:

• Marshaling cash accounts as the first priority after court appointment
• Required documents banks demand and why certified letters matter
• Challenges working with large national banks versus local institutions
• Gathering statements, signature cards, and records for estate accountings
• Handling brokerage accounts, paper securities, and medallion signature guarantees
• Special rules and tax risks tied to retirement accounts and required minimum distributions

Resources from this Episode

Jennifer's website - https://probatefiduciary.com/

The 6-Stage Probate Process: How to Navigate California Probate: https://a.co/d/82310Rw

Follow and Review:

We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

In this episode of Probate Notes, Sam welcomes trust and estates litigator Terrence Franklin for a powerful conversation that blends probate law, history, and personal discovery. Terrence shares that, decades into his legal career, he uncovered a 19th-century will contest that directly shaped his family's freedom and reshaped his understanding of the law's role in justice.

The discussion traces Terrence's path from Harvard Law School to trust and estates litigation, before turning to the remarkable story of his fourth great-grandmother, Lucy, who was enslaved in the 1840s. Through a meticulously drafted will and a contested probate proceeding in Florida, Lucy and her family were ultimately freed and transported to Illinois. What began as family lore evolved into a documented legal record, including trial transcripts, probate inventories, and judicial rulings, all of which remain available today.

Sam and Terrence explore the legal mechanics of emancipation through probate, including bond requirements, jurisdictional differences across states, the role of estate-planning attorneys, and the real consequences of probate litigation. The episode also reflects on legacy—how lawyers, clients, and courts shape outcomes that can echo for generations—and what it means to "bend the arc of history toward justice" through intentional action.

This episode offers a rare look at probate law not just as a technical process, but as a force capable of protecting freedom, preserving truth, and shaping the future.

In this episode, you will hear:

• A 19th-century will that emancipated an enslaved family through probate
• How a contested estate preserved freedom and a family legacy
• The role of estate planning attorneys in navigating emancipation laws
• Probate court records that survived fire, time, and near erasure
• Executor duties that extended far beyond asset distribution
• Lessons modern probate practitioners can draw from historic cases
• How one estate plan shaped generations to come

Resources from this Episode

https://www.trustlitigation.la/attorney/franklin-terrence-m

https://www.linkedin.com/in/terrencefranklin

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWgKIv1nTto

https://lucysutton.com

https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/terry-franklin

The 6-Stage Probate Process: How to Navigate California Probate: https://a.co/d/82310Rw

Follow and Review:

We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

In this episode of Probate Notes, Sam flips the script and brings listeners inside his own law firm to explore a part of probate practice that often gets overlooked: the first phone call. That initial conversation sets the tone for the entire attorney-client relationship, shaping expectations around cost, timeline, communication, and trust. Sam explains why attorneys are often not the best people to handle these early conversations and how a well-trained intake professional can improve both client experience and firm efficiency.

Joining Sam is Brandie Cooper, a client care specialist at Price Law Firm, who shares her perspective from the front lines of probate intake. Drawing on her background in banking, sales, and client service, Brandie explains how she gathers essential information, guides conversations with empathy, and helps families feel supported during an emotionally difficult time. Together, Sam and Brandie discuss how structure, compassion, and clear boundaries can lead to better outcomes for both clients and law firms.

This conversation offers insight for probate attorneys considering whether to delegate initial consultations and for professionals who want to understand what it takes to excel in a client-facing intake role.

In this episode, you will hear:

• Why initial probate consultations often work better when handled by a non-attorney
• How intake professionals gather key information without giving legal advice
• Setting clear expectations around probate timelines, costs, and communication
• Managing emotionally charged calls with empathy while guiding the conversation
• Common objections and challenges families raise during probate intake
• The importance of finding the right personality for a client care role
• How effective intake systems support client retention and firm growth

Resources from this Episode

https://pricelawfirm.com/about-us/

The 6-Stage Probate Process: How to Navigate California Probate: https://a.co/d/82310Rw

Follow and Review:

We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.