Nine Estate-Planning Related TV Shows and Movies

From Knives Out to White Lotus, the writers of television series and movies have decided that estate-planning issues make for good drama, and in some cases, even comedy. Here are nine that you may be interested in watching. 

1. Fisk (Netflix) – Helen Tudor Fish, a high-powered corporate attorney who, after a divorce and getting fired from her job, takes a position practicing probate and wills at a small law firm in Sydney, Australia.
2. Insecure (HBO) – Molly, an attorney, becomes concerned about her aging parents’ lack of estate planning. The show illustrates the quandary faced by millennials who must confront the harsh reality that their parents won’t live forever, highlighting the challenges of encouraging older parents to establish proper estate plans when they’re not yet ready to face mortality.
3. Knives Out – This murder mystery film revolves around the death of wealthy crime novelist, Harlan Thrombey, and the subsequent investigation into his estate. The movie showcases inheritance conflicts, family greed and the importance of clear estate planning. Harlan’s family is chagrined to learn that he recently changed his will and has left his estate to his nurse, Marta.
4. I Care A Lot (Netflix) – Marla Grayson, a professional guardian who exploits the legal system to gain control over elderly clients’ assets. She places them in an assisted living facility, where they’re sedated and lose contact with the outside world. She then sells off their homes and assets, pocketing the proceeds.
5. Bad Sisters (Apple TV) – This Apple TV dramedy revolves around a close-knit family of five sisters. At the start of Season 2, Grace, one of the sisters, marries Ian. Later, Ian is revealed to be a con artist who marries grieving women for their money. He married Grace, intending to exploit her inheritance and her daughter’s bank account. To make matters worse, Ian already has a wife and child who live in another town! In retrospect, perhaps Grace should have considered a prenuptial agreement before marrying Ian.
6. White Lotus (HBO) – This anthology series examines wealth inequality and class dynamics at luxury resorts. Each season features wealthy guests whose money creates complex family dynamics and inheritance issues.
7. House of the Dragon (HBO) – This Game of Thrones (Itself a primo estate planning show) spinoff literally begins with a great council to select the king’s heir in the wake of the death of his two sons; and the succession drama only intensifies from there. Touching on themes ranging from sibling rivalry, the power (or lack thereof of familial bonds), the chaos that remarriage can potentially sow, the importance of choosing and listening to the correct trusted advisors and the impact that unexpected deaths (many, many deaths) can have on an estate plan.
8. Empire (FOX) – This show highlights just how difficult a family business succession process can be; as well as how difficult it can be to decide what’s “fair” to each party in sush a situation, and if that consideration even matters at all.
9. Succession (HBO) – Estate planning is the entire plot of this wild story, based loosely on the real-life succession drama that’s still playing out to this day among the Murdoch family of Fox fame. Unlike many of the other shows on this list, Succession begins with a well-reasoned estate plan in place—the inciting incident of the series is an attempted trust revision.

For more information see Susan R. Lipp and David H. Lenok “Nine Estate-Planning Related TV Shows and Movies,” Wealthmanagement.com, October 22, 2025.