Spoiler Alert: If you haven’t watched the first season of House of the Dragon, proceed with caution—spoilers ahead!

If there’s one thing that House of the Dragon teaches us, it’s that planning for the future is crucial. While you might not be vying for the Iron Throne, estate planning is essential for ensuring that your assets—and your loved ones—are taken care of after you’re gone. As fans eagerly anticipate the second season, let’s look at some key estate planning lessons from the tumultuous lives of the Targaryens and their kin.

Plan for Your Pets—Even the Dragons

Laena Velaryon’s tragic death was a turning point in Season One, not just for her family, but for her massive dragon, Vhagar. Laena’s daughters naturally thought one of them would inherit Vhagar, but young Aemond Targaryen ended up claiming her instead. No matter how you feel about Aemond getting Vhagar, this incident underscores the importance of planning for your pets.

Pets (whether dogs, cats, or dragons) are beloved family members. Ensuring they are cared for according to your wishes after you’re gone is vital. Include provisions in your estate plan specifying who will care for your pets and allocate funds for their care. Additionally, consider creating a pet trust to legally bind the caregiver to use the allocated funds specifically for your pet’s care, guaranteeing your cherished pet’s comfort and security. This will prevent any Aemond-like surprises and ensure your pets end up in loving hands.

Families Are Complicated, Especially Blended Families

The bitter conflict between Rhaenyra Targaryen and her stepmother, Alicent Hightower, ignites much of the drama in House of the Dragon. But, you don’t need to be a Targaryen to have a complicated family. Blended families often have unique dynamics that can make estate planning tricky.

Open communication and regular family meetings are key. Discussing your plans with your family can help to clear up misunderstandings and reduce potential conflicts. Engaging a relational lawyer firm like AMO LAW can facilitate these conversations and help address issues before they spiral out of control. Comprehensive and holistic legal planning can help prevent a full-blown dance of the dragons within your family.

Update Your Plan Regularly

One of the most heartbreaking and frustrating moments in the first season is King Viserys’ deathbed scene. His wishes for succession were misunderstood, leading to chaos and bloodshed. Viserys believed everything would work out fine, but he could have done much more to ensure his intentions were clear and legally binding. Let’s break down where Viserys went wrong:

• Lack of Clear Communication: Viserys vacillated on the matter of succession. He named his daughter Rhaenyra as his heir but failed to consistently reinforce this decision, especially after the birth of his sons by his second wife, Alicent Hightower.
• Mixed Messages: On his deathbed, his vague and confusing words to Alicent about Aegon were misinterpreted. This miscommunication directly resulted from Viserys’ failure to have these crucial conversations and documents formally clarified and witnessed.
• Failure to Address Competing Claims: By not making a definitive and public declaration that could not be disputed, Viserys allowed factions to form around both Rhaenyra and Aegon II, leading to the brutal civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons.
• Lack of Legal Binding Documents: Viserys did not ensure his wishes were legally binding and indisputable, relying too much on verbal declarations without the necessary documentation.

Don’t be like Viserys. Regularly update your estate plan to reflect changes in your life, such as new family members, marriages, divorces, or significant changes in your assets. Clearly document your wishes in a legally binding format to avoid confusion and disputes after your passing. Ensuring your intentions are crystal clear can prevent your family from enduring their own dance of the dragons moment.

The Legacy You Leave Behind

As we gear up for the second season of House of the Dragon, it’s a good time to take a page from the Targaryen playbook—minus the fire and blood. Estate planning might not be as thrilling as a battle for the Iron Throne, but it’s essential for protecting your family’s future. From planning for your pets to navigating the complexities of blended families and keeping your plans up to date, these lessons from Westeros can help you ensure a smoother transition for your loved ones.

Remember, estate planning is about more than just wealth—it’s about family, peace of mind, and leaving a legacy without the drama. And who knows, with the right planning, your family gatherings could be more peaceful than a small council meeting in King’s Landing.

For a personalized and heart-centered estate approach to estate planning, book a complimentary Discovery Call with us and begin your journey with confidence. We’re here to help you navigate even the most complicated family dynamics, with or without dragons.

This article is a service of AMO LAW, Personal Family Lawyer® firm. We do not just draft documents; we ensure you make informed and empowered decisions about life and death, for yourself and the people you love. That’s why we offer a Legacy Planning Session, during which you will get more financially organized than you’ve ever been before and make all the best choices for the people you love. You can begin by calling our office today to schedule a Legacy Planning Session and mention this article to find out how to get this $750 session for just $497. 

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