Estate Planning for Publishers and Authors

What Happens to Your Books and Business If You’re No Longer Here?

Have you ever thought about what would happen to your books, royalties, and publishing business if something unexpected happened to you? It’s not a fun topic—but it’s one of the most important conversations you can have as an author or entrepreneur.

In our latest podcast episode, Alexa and estate planning attorney Kelley Way dive into the legal side of protecting your creative legacy. Whether you’re an indie author, traditionally published, or running a small publishing house, you need a plan.

Why This Matters (More Than You Think)

For many authors and business owners, their intellectual property (IP) is their biggest asset. But without a clear estate plan, your copyrights, royalties, and business can end up in legal limbo—tied up in probate, mismanaged, or even lost.

We’ve seen it happen before. When authors or publishers pass away unexpectedly, their families are often left scrambling—unable to access bank accounts, royalty payments, or even rights to their books. Estate planning for publishers and authors is critical to ensuring you have a plan for your business and your books to continue after you are no longer able to do so.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✅ How copyrights transfer after you pass away (and why you need legal documentation)
✅ The difference between a will, trust, and LLC—and which one is right for you
✅ How to ensure royalties continue going to the right people
✅ Why you need a beneficiary form for your publisher or estate
✅ How probate can be a nightmare for your heirs (and how to avoid it)
✅ The termination right in copyright law and why it matters for your heirs
✅ The exact steps you can take today to protect your business and books

This is Not a ‘Someday’ Conversation

Estate planning isn’t just for the wealthy or elderly—it’s for anyone with assets to protect. If you’re an author, your books are assets. If you’re a business owner, your company needs a succession plan.

💡 One simple action step: Find an estate planning lawyer in your state or visit Kelley Way’s website for more legal insights.

🎙️ Don’t leave your creative legacy to chance. Listen to the episode now and take the first step toward securing your work for the future.

📌 Listen Now:

📢 Share this with every author, freelancer, or small business owner you know! Estate planning isn’t optional—it’s essential.