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9 minute read

Inheriting a Green Legacy: Netflix's 'The Gentlemen' Explores a Sinister Twist on Estate Plans

Have you seen ‘The Gentlemen’ by Guy Ritchie? Trust & Will reads between the lines and examines the show’s themes of legacy and succession.

Season one of the Netflix Original television series, 'The Gentlemen,' quickly drew critical acclaim. It's an exciting plot that offers a thrilling twist on legacy, inheritance, and what it means to come into one's own. This is not just a story about royalty and wealth, it's also an exploration of systems, family values, and the unexpected plot twists life can bring about. Follow along as we explore the narrative through the context of estate planning and what lessons a viewer can apply to their own life.

Estates, Green Gold and Entrapment

The plot of Guy Ritchie's 'The Gentlemen' would be a lot less sexy and riqué if it were based in California.

After the death of his father, Edward Horniman (played by Theo James) inherits a 15,000 acre estate and the title of Duke of Halstead. This comes at the surprise of the family, who all assumed that the title and the bulk of the estate would be inherited by Eddie's older brother and eldest of the children, Fredrick.

Much to his dismay, Eddie discovered that the Halstead estate hides a dark secret: under the grounds hides a lucrative cannabis operation run by the Glass criminal syndicate. The possession, sale, growing, and distribution of marijuana is very much illegal in the UK.

This lays the foundation for the first season, which follows Eddie as he grapples with his unexpected inheritance and his moral values, all the while being wrapped up in the adventures and drama that come with running an illegal operation.

The show paints an alluring but dark portrait of 'old money', showcasing a juxtaposition of wealth against the themes of deception, lawlessness, and moral decay.

A New Generation Grappling with Old Legacies

Aside from the sinister aspect of the plot, the show begs an important question: what do you do when you inherit a legacy that you don't want?

Until the passing of his father, Eddie is a peacekeeping officer for the United Nations who is seemingly uninterested in having anything to do with his royal title.

Freddy, his older brother, vies for the Ducal title, the estate, and all that comes with it. When he finds out that he is denied the inheritance, he gives an uproar. A morally corrupt, cocaine-fueled gambler, Freddy indeed seems like a better fit for the 'family business' at surface level.

Eddie, who wants no part in the operation hidden underground in his family estate, sets out to divest from the criminal organization. Through numerous trials and tribulations, however, Eddie demonstrates that his shrewdness and stomach for violence actually makes him the perfect operator of the family business after all.

Another important character to the storyline is Susie Glass, the daughter of kingpin Bobby Glass. The latter is in prison, and because of this, Susie is the boots-on-the-ground leader of the operation. Unlike Eddie, Susie represents someone who seems to have taken her father's legacy in stride. While the viewers may be distracted by the sexual chemistry between our two stars, under the surface we find two characters who hold up a mirror to one another on the question of morality.

As viewers, we are compelled to ponder the ways in which we, too, are shaped by the legacies of our families, our societies, and our industries. The inheritance is not always welcome; it can be a heavy burden.

Stuck Between a Rock and a Hard Place

While the entire premise of 'The Gentlemen' is based around the concept of inheritance and legacy, one legal move would have truncated the plot.

Eddie, in theory, could have saved himself a lot of trouble simply by disclaiming his inheritance.

A disclaimer refers to the legal action taken by a named Heir or Beneficiary who decides to disclaim their inheritance. In other words, it's a "thank you, no thank you."

However, the show still might have a point.

When an heir says "thanks but no thanks" to their inheritance, the assets in question bypass them and pass to the next Beneficiary in line.

Edward, who is extremely shrewd, may have taken this into consideration. Theoretically, if he had disclaimed his inheritance, then the Ducal title and the Halstead estate in its entirety (weed plants and unwanted gangsters included) may have passed right back to Freddy or their unassuming younger sister Charlotte.

Knowing this potential outcome, he may have "taken one for the team" and accepted the inheritance in the hopes of getting their family out of the drug ring.

What happens next? You'll have to watch the show to find out.

Inheritances with Strings Attached

For many viewers, the series will be enjoyed for its pure entertainment value.

Others, however, will surely be coaxed into thinking about estate plans and legacies. Not unlike the fictional characters, people in the real world can inherit legacies that have strings attached. Whether the inheritance itself is controversial, or the terms of the inheritance is multi-layered and a lot to deal with, it shows us that estate plans must be managed with care and foresight.

The transition of wealth and responsibility is rarely simple, and 'The Gentlemen' highlights this brilliantly through its twists and turns. The complexities of succession planning and the importance of preparing the next generation to handle the legacy, whether tangible or intangible, are starkly illustrated in the series.

While an inheritance with surprise and shock factors may make for fun fictional plots, it's rarely the case when it comes to real life. When a parent wishes to pass one great responsibility to a child (and possibly even snub other children in the process), preparedness, transparency and airtight estate plans make for the best policies.

How to Prepare Your Loved Ones to Carry the Family Torch

Preparing your children to satisfy your final wishes, as well as to carry the family's torch after you're gone, requires clear communication, education, and thoughtful planning. Hopefully, whatever you have planned doesn't have any criminal intent.

Here are several tips to consider:

1. Start Discussions Early: Don't wait until it's too late to start conversations about estate planning and the importance of preserving the family legacy. Early discussions can help set expectations and alleviate future misunderstandings.

2. Educate About Financial Management: Equip your children with the necessary financial literacy to manage, invest, and grow their inheritance responsibly. Consider professional financial education or mentorship if necessary.

3. Be Transparent: Share the details of your estate plan with your children to avoid surprises. Transparency can help in building trust and understanding among family members.

4. Foster a Sense of Responsibility: Encourage your children to be actively involved in family enterprises or philanthropic endeavors early on. This involvement can instill a sense of responsibility and familiarity with the legacy they are to continue.

5. Create a Succession Plan: Outline a clear plan for transitioning roles, responsibilities, and assets. A well-documented succession plan can alleviate potential conflicts and ensure a smooth transfer of leadership and assets.

6. Seek Professional Advice: Involve estate planning professionals to ensure your plan is legally sound and aligns with your goals. They can also help in mediating discussions and providing objective advice.

7. Personalize for Each Child: Recognize that each child's ability, interest, and life path may differ. Tailor your approach to fit their individual strengths and weaknesses, ensuring the best stewardship of your legacy.

By adopting these approaches, you can step by step lay a solid foundation for your children to not only inherit your legacy but to also enhance and build upon it for future generations.

Estate Plans Gone Wrong: What Happens when You Get Snubbed

It's sad to admit, but some children will find themselves to be the black sheep of the family. Maybe they constantly find themselves in the shadows of the "star" child, or maybe they've even rebelled against family values in pursuit of their own. Maybe you're the Freddy of the family, although you'll probably never want to admit it.

Whatever the case may be, it is a harsh reality when you find out that you've been snubbed by a loved one in the family estate plan.

Being excluded or significantly underrepresented in a parent’s Will or Trust, especially in favor of a sibling, can be re-traumatizing, to say the least. Here are some steps to consider if you find yourself in this predicament:

1. Review the Will or Trust Documents: It’s crucial to obtain and carefully read the documents to understand the specifics of the distribution. Sometimes, misunderstandings arise from a lack of clarity in the bequests.

2. Communicate with Family Members: Try to have an open and honest discussion with your family members, including the Executor or Trustee of the estate. Understanding the reasoning behind the distribution may provide closure or reveal possibilities for an amicable resolution.

3. Consult with an Estate Attorney: Legal advice is critical in these situations. An attorney specializing in estate law can assess whether you have grounds for a contest. Grounds could include undue influence, lack of capacity, or improper execution of the documents.

4. Consider a Contest: If legal grounds do exist, you may decide to contest the Will or Trust in question. Keep in mind that this process can be lengthy, costly, and may strain family relationships even further. However, know that there is legal recourse if you've truly been slighted for no valid reason.

5. Explore Mediation: Before taking legal action, mediation with a neutral third party might resolve the dispute without going to court. Mediation can provide a platform for all parties to express their concerns and find an equitable solution.

6. Reflect on Non-Legal Resolutions: Sometimes, preserving family harmony may take precedence over pursuing legal routes. Reflecting deeply on what you hope to achieve and whether legal action aligns with those goals is important.

Avoid Estate Feuds of your Own: Get your Estate Plan in Place

The Netflix series 'The Gentlemen' portrays a larger-than-life comedy of what could happen if you were to inherit a very illegal family business, and caught totally by surprise.

Between the lines of humor, however, the show highlights the important themes of legacy, family values, and succession planning. While you may not be thinking proactively about your own death  (really, who wants to do that?), it does get one thinking about the long-lasting impact you can have on your loved ones, even long after you're gone.

An estate plan, and an airtight one at that, is the only surefire way to take control of your own narrative (pun intended.)

By putting your Will or Trust in place, you can have a voice over how the torch of your legacy is carried.  You can also ensure that your loved ones are provided for and taken care of, minimizing the likelihood of any disputes or feuds over your estate.

Last but not least, an estate plan allows you to legally appoint someone you trust as your Executor, who will be responsible for carrying out your wishes after you're gone. This can prevent unwanted family members from taking control of your assets and making decisions that don't align with your overarching vision.

Ready to empower yourself? Set up your estate plan with Trust & Will, everyone's favorite estate planning platform, today.

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Trust & Will is an online service providing legal forms and information. We are not a law firm and we do not provide legal advice.

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