The League of Extraordinary Lawyers

Hi Reader,

We’ve talked about passwords. We’ve talked about inventory. Now it’s time to talk about the part most writers would rather avoid: lawyers.

Yes, it’s expensive. Yes, it can feel intimidating. But here’s the truth: if you want your creative legacy to survive (and thrive) long after you’re gone, you need professional help. Managing a creative estate is complex—and your words deserve more than a DIY approach.

Why You Need Legal Backup

Your creative estate isn’t just about who gets your book collection. It’s about ensuring royalties, rights, and contracts are handled properly. That means working with:

• An accountant to help with taxes and money trails.
• A financial planner to structure long-term income and inheritance.
• An estate attorney to handle wills, trusts, and state-specific laws.
• An intellectual property (IP) attorney to protect and manage copyrights and contracts.

This article is not a substitute for professional legal advice (I’m your friendly writing coach, not your lawyer). But here’s the big takeaway: you need both an estate attorney and an IP attorney.

Why? Because estate attorneys usually don’t know copyright law. And copyright is the beating heart of your legacy.

The Lawyer Puzzle

It may be challenging to find one attorney who specializes in both estate planning and literary property. But don’t let that stop you.

Here’s a workable strategy:

• Hire a local estate attorney who understands the laws of your state.
• Pair them with an IP consultant or attorney who knows the ins and outs of copyrights, contracts, and creative rights. Your IP attorney doesn’t have to live in your state.

Think of it as assembling your Avengers team for legacy protection: one lawyer handles the family and state-level stuff, the other guards your creative empire.

The Price Tag Reality

Yes, this will be expensive. Legal advice always is. But here’s the perspective shift: your creative estate can continue to earn money for 70 years after your death. That’s generations of royalties, licensing deals, and reboot potential.

A few thousand dollars now could protect decades of income and prevent your heirs from being locked out of your literary fortune. It’s an investment in peace of mind—for you and for them.

Action Steps

Here’s where to start:

1. Ask friends for recommendations for both IP and estate lawyers.
2. Make a short list of attorneys in your area who handle estate planning.
3. Research IP attorneys (literary or entertainment specialists) who understand creative rights.
4. Schedule consultations—most attorneys will meet once before you have to pay.
5. Bring your inventory (see Part 2!) to your meeting so they can see what needs protecting.
6. Ask direct questions: Come with a list of questions. Who manages copyrights? How will my heirs claim royalties? What happens if my publisher goes out of business?

Wrapping It Up

Writers often joke that our work will outlive us. But if you don’t protect it legally, it might not. An accountant, a planner, and two lawyers may not sound glamorous, but they’re the team that will carry your creative empire into the future.