EP 54: Legacy in Motion: Mediating the Madness – Family Feuds & Probate Peace

The Ron Greenwald Show

What happens when grief, inheritance, and old family rivalries collide? In this third episode of our “Legacy in Motion” series, Ron Greenwald welcomes elder law attorney Uzzel Branson and veteran mediator Judy Copeland for a no-holds-barred conversation about resolving the most explosive disputes in trusts, estates, and conservatorships. From laugh-out-loud legal war stories to heartfelt breakthroughs between siblings, this episode unpacks the power of mediation to preserve dignity, legacy, and relationships—before the courtroom burns it all down. If you’ve ever wondered how to keep your family out of legal chaos, this is the conversation you can’t afford to miss.
🔔 Subscribe for Part 1 and 2 as we dive deeper into the world of trust litigation and justice for families.
👨‍⚖️ Featuring: Uzzell Branson IV, Trust & Estate Litigator
🎙️ Host: Ron Greenwald
🎧 Podcast: The Ron Greenwald Show
⏱️ Timestamps:
0:00 – Welcome + Meet Judy Copeland
1:40 – What Is Probate Mediation?
2:30 – Mediation vs. Arbitration Explained
4:10 – Family Dynamics in Legal Disputes
5:10 – The “Bill & Sister” Mediation Story
7:45 – Why Siblings Shouldn’t Be Trustees
9:25 – Beanie Babies and Symbolic Battles
10:00 – Mediation for Tangible Property
12:15 – Clarifying Client Goals in Disputes
14:20 – Writing Legal Briefs that Escalate
16:00 – Most Common Probate Conflict Types
18:00 – Can We Depart from a Parent’s Will?
19:50 – How Long Does Mediation Take?
21:35 – Elder Law Cases Before Lawsuits
24:00 – Mediating Conservatorship Disputes
26:00 – Why Complex Trusts Often Fail
28:40 – “Law Feels Like Witchcraft” Analogy
30:00 – Should You Mediate or Litigate?
31:40 – What Is a Professional Fiduciary?
33:30 – Real Talk on Managing Family Estates
36:00 – Behind the Scenes of Being a Mediator
38:00 – West Coast Resolution: Mediation for Good
Contact:
Ronald L. Greenwald
Broker Associate, MBA, SRES
Sage Legacy Properties | Greenwald Realty Team
DRE 01264025
www.greenwaldrealtyteam.com
🎙️therongreenwaldshow.com
Text 760.390.0149
Uzzel S. Branson IV, Senior Attorney
RMO LLP
[phone]
RMOLawyers.com
[email protected]
[email protected]
“Please note that communications by you to RMO LLP or any of its lawyers through this website do not create an attorney-client relationship between you and the firm. Do not send any privileged or confidential information to the firm through this e-mail or otherwise until instructed in writing from us to do so.”