The Kardashians are one of the most talked-about families in Hollywood, known for their lavish lifestyle, controversial relationships, and of course, their reality TV shows "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" and more recently, “The Kardashians.” But there is more to this famous family than what meets the eye. In recent years, they have become increasingly open about their estate planning and legacy, giving us a glimpse into their personal lives and what they value the most.
Estate planning: more than just wealth distribution
In the teaser trailer for Season 3 of “The Kardashians” airing on Hulu, Kylie Jenner is shown asking, “We have huge influence. What are we doing with our power?”
Estate planning is often associated with wealthy individuals who want to ensure that their assets are distributed according to their wishes after death. While this is certainly one aspect of estate planning, it's not just limited to money and property.
The Kardashian family, while wealthy, has shown us that estate planning can also involve important decisions about unique personal preferences, guardianship, and even legacy.
While the Kardashian estate plans are still predominantly private, here are some interesting aspects that have been revealed over the years.
Khloe's unique request
One of the most talked-about aspects of the Kardashian's estate planning is Khloe Kardashian's request to have her nails done if she ever becomes incapacitated.
In an October 2022 episode of “The Kardashians,” Khloe reveals that the Kardashian-Jenner clan often talks about their Wills and death so that they all know one another’s wishes if anything were to happen. This conversation is spurred by a visit she pays to her mother Kris Jenner, who is shown recovering from hip replacement surgery.
In this episode clip, Khloe says that she would still want to get her nails done on a weekly basis if she were ever in a coma.
"We tell each other what our wishes would be, if something terrible were to happen. If I'm in a coma, I'm still getting my nails done once a week, and that's in my will, because people are going to visit me."
This may seem like a trivial detail, but it highlights the importance of personal preferences and quality of life in estate planning. It's a reminder that estate planning is not just about money, but also about ensuring that your wishes and needs are taken care of in case of incapacity.
A family mausoleum?
In the same episode, Kris discusses family burial plans with daughters Khloe and Kylie. Kris reminds Kylie about their plans to search for mausoleums so that the entire family could be laid to rest together. However, Khloé raises some concerns about the capacity of the mausoleums. She jokingly mentions the need to limit the number of generations allowed in the tomb, turning it into an exclusive "club." Kris, with a touch of humor, adds that some people would not be on the list.
Khloé expresses her preference for cremation, suggesting that it would ensure their burial grounds would not be compromised. She believes that being cremated would allow them to become one with the earth. On the other hand, she worries that if they were all buried, there could be a risk of someone acquiring the land and building on top of their graves. Kris, however, seems intrigued by the idea and even expresses a desire to be buried at the base of the Matterhorn. In a confessional, Kris playfully mentions her intention to haunt whoever took over her space, asking, "Could you imagine being haunted by the Kardashians? Epic."
It is unclear whether these burial plans include Robert Kardashian, the family's only immediate late relative to date. Robert, the father of Kim, Khloé, Kourtney, and Rob, passed away in 2003 from esophageal cancer and is currently buried at the Inglewood Park Cemetery in California. Travis Barker, Kourtney's now-husband, visited Robert's grave to seek his blessing before proposing to her. Kris expressed her appreciation for Travis's respect towards Robert and their family.
The family did not comment on whether their future spouses or the famous fathers of their children, such as Kanye West, Scott Disick, Tristan Thompson, and Travis Scott, would be included in the family mausoleum.
Turn me into a necklace, please
In yet another “are they joking or not” part of the series, Kris Jenner expresses her desire to be cremated and made into necklaces for each of her children.
Following this comment, Khloe remarks, “I don’t even know why we need to be buried. In the Bible, it says we can't get cremated but I just wanna be cremated. But like, why can't we?"
This highlights the important role personal preferences, including religious and spiritual beliefs, play in our end-of-life planning. No matter how unique your dying wishes may be, (and yes, you can turn ashes into jewelry)be sure to provide detailed instructions in your estate plan.
The importance of guardianship
In both “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” and “The Kardashians,” the family is faced with tragic losses that spark conversations about guardianship and the importance of choosing a guardian for your children in the event of your death.
In “Keeping Up with the Kardashians,” the family processes the loss of Robert Kardashian Senior’s brother, Tom. This event prompts discussions about guardianship and estate plans within the family. Kourtney Kardashian expresses her concerns about who would take care of her children if something were to happen to her and their father, Scott Disick. This leads to the family discussing their own guardianship decisions and ensuring that they have a plan in place for their children's future.
In the Season 3 finale of “The Kardashians,” Khloe opens up about the death of Tristan Thompson’s mother. (Khloe and Tristan share two children but are not together.) Khloe takes in Tristan and his 16-year-old little brother Amari, who is “severely disabled.” The sudden death of Tristan’s mother resulted in him becoming Amari’s Guardian.
The Kardashians have always been vocal about their close-knit family dynamic, and this serves as a reminder to all of us that estate planning is not just about ourselves, but also about protecting our loved ones.
Legacy planning
The Kardashian family's rise to fame and fortune has made them a household name not just in the United States, but all over the world. With such a huge platform, it's no surprise that they have also considered their legacy in their estate planning. Legacy planning involves thinking about how you want to be remembered and what impact you want to leave behind.
Throughout the Kardashian’s career on television, audience viewers have watched the family participate in various philanthropic endeavors. In a recent interview, Kim Kardashian West shared that she wants to be known for her philanthropy and giving back to causes she is passionate about. As she ages, this becomes more and more apparent. Most recently, Kim is shown studying for the bar exam to become an attorney. She is using her power and influence in the area of criminal justice reform.
Private details have not been released regarding Kardashian or Jenner plans to bequeath a portion of their legacies to philanthropy, it is a safe assumption that philanthropy will remain a large part of the family legacy.
Interpersonal legacy
When it comes to their family legacy, the Kardashians have been transparent about their journey in creating a blended family. With Kris Jenner being married twice and having children from both marriages, the family has had to navigate challenging situations regarding inheritance and ensuring that each child is included in their estate plan. This shows the importance of having open and honest conversations with all family members when creating an estate plan. Click here for tips on how to have estate planning conversations with family over the upcoming holidays.
The benefits of early estate planning: lessons from the Kardashians
Engaging in estate planning early offers several benefits, some of which we can learn from the Kardashians. Firstly, it provides peace of mind, knowing your loved ones will be taken care of and your assets will be distributed as per your wishes. Estate planning also allows for the opportunity to plan for unforeseen circumstances.
As seen with Khloe Kardashian’s unusual clause about getting her nails done if she's ever incapacitated, it's clear estate planning can be very personal and tailored to one's lifestyle. (No matter how strange or unique they may seem.) Lastly, early estate planning promotes healthy conversations about guardianship and legacy. Following a recent death in the family, the Kardashians have sparked dialogues about who will assume guardianship of minor children and how they want to shape their legacy.
They have also demonstrated an ability to use humor to make light of a conversation that can otherwise be dark and morbid. What’s important here is that the conversation is being had, and often. Overall, they are showing us that estate planning is not only about asset distribution but also about preserving personal values and ensuring the future wellbeing of family members.
Keep up with the Kardashians: put your estate plan in place today
While the Kardashians may possess a blinding amount of wealth and other assets, we can still glean helpful lessons that apply to the “average Joe.” Regardless of whether we are on a champagne or beer budget, famous or a wallflower, we each have a legacy to think about and a bright future to secure.
Estate planning is for everyone and anyone who wants to ensure their wishes are carried out and the loved ones (and causes they care about) are taken care of.
Don’t wait any longer and start planning now. In Kardashian fashion, you can use your estate plan to create a legacy that will live on long after you’re gone. While estate planning may not be the most glamorous activity, the Kardashians have shown us that it can be uniquely tailored to your bespoke personality, and that you can have fun along the way. Who knows, perhaps one day you’ll have a legacy just as legendary as any celebrity. You just have to get started to find out.
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