Probate in the Wizarding World

Sometimes the inspiration for a blog post or newsletter topic comes from unexpected places. Lately, my kids have been really into the Harry Potter series. As we watched it again together one scene caught my attention: the scene where Harry Potter and his friends learn what Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore had left them in his Will.

In the fantastical realm of the Harry Potter series, even the mystical world of wizards and witches cannot escape the mundane matters of inheritance and probate. Dumbledore needed a legal document, not a magic spell, to ensure that his assets went where he wanted them to at his death. 

Dumbledore was not married and had no descendants. I don’t know what magical inheritance law is like, but in our world, in the absence of a Will, Dumbledore’s estate would have passed to his heirs at law, which would mean his estate would all go to his brother Aberforth.

Like many of his similarly situated Muggle counterparts without close family, Dumbledore left the bulk of his estate to a charitable organization, the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He also chose to make specific bequests to Harry Potter and his friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. These bequests are a testament to the meticulous care he took in ensuring that his possessions would pass into the right hands. It showcases the importance of family heirlooms, magical items, and the emotional attachments that transcend generations, much like in the Muggle world. 

As I tell my estate planning clients, you can only give away in your Will what you own, and it seems this is true in the Harry Potter universe too. While Dumbledore’s Will purports to leave the sword of Gryffindor to Harry, the Minister of Magic points out that Dumbledore didn’t own the sword and thus, it wasn’t his to give. 

Ellen Williamson Law proudly serves Dallas County and the Greater Dallas Metroplex area. We guide our clients through the difficult and complex journeys related to estate planning, probate law, and guardianship. Our goal is to help you navigate the complicated legal process while providing the best possible customer service and reducing confusion.

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