The world of Oz, with its flying monkeys, powerful witches, and Emerald cities, may seem far removed from ours—but its dramatic conflicts hold real-world lessons about legal preparedness.
Specifically, the high-stakes battles over assets, power, and guardianship in The Wizard of Oz and Wicked provide a surprisingly vivid reminder of why every adult needs a comprehensive estate plan.
The Ruby Slipper Conflict: The Danger of Dying Intestate
The very first conflict in The Wizard of Oz is a classic example of an inheritance dispute caused by intestacy—the legal term for dying without a valid Will.
When Nessarose (the Wicked Witch of the East) is killed by a flying house, her ruby red slippers are immediately taken by Dorothy—a non-relative and complete stranger. This transfer is violently opposed by Nessarose’s sister, Elphaba (the Wicked Witch of the West), who feels she is the rightful heir.
Estate Planning Lesson: Write a Will
In our world, if Nessarose had died without a Will (intestate), her property wouldn’t have automatically gone to a “finder.” Instead, it would be distributed according to the laws of intestate succession in her jurisdiction (i.e., Munchkinland’s state laws).
So, who gets the asset?
Since Nessarose seemingly didn’t leave a Will, her assets would have passed based on the legal order of heirs: spouse, then children, then parents, then siblings, and so on. Nessarose wasn’t married (things didn’t work out with Boq), had no children, and her parents and grandparents had predeceased her. That made Elphaba her sole surviving heir. Therefore, Elphaba was entitled to the ruby red slippers—not Dorothy.
A simple, well-drafted Will could have prevented this entire subplot by clearly and legally specifying who should inherit the slippers and other assets. It’s the cornerstone for ensuring your wishes are carried out and eliminating the need for a protracted, wicked fight.
Blended Families and Unintended Heirs: Elphaba's Birthright
Wicked delves into the complex family history of Elphaba and Nessarose, underscoring the critical need for estate planning when dealing with blended or non-traditional families.
Elphaba was born from an extramarital affair between her mother, Melena Thropp, and the Wizard of Oz. If Melena died intestate (without a Will), her entire estate would legally pass to her surviving spouse, Frexspar Thropp (the Governor of Munchkinland). However, since Elphaba was not the biological child of Frexspar, she would still be entitled to a portion of Melena’s estate.
Blended families often have unique dynamics and intentions that aren’t reflected in default intestacy laws.
Estate Planning Lesson: Protect All Descendants
If Melena had created an estate plan, she could have:
- Provided Clarity: A Will could clearly define what portion of the estate—or which specific assets—were intended for Elphaba, Nessarose, or any future children.
- Enabled Opportunity: A specific bequest to Elphaba—perhaps financial resources she never had—could have allowed her to blaze her own path earlier, potentially changing her destiny.
Estate planning ensures all descendants—including adopted children, stepchildren, and children from previous relationships—are provided for exactly as you intend, bypassing potentially outdated or inflexible laws.
Nessarose’s Vulnerability: The Danger of Misplaced Fiduciary Trust
Nessarose, the beloved, non-green daughter, is physically vulnerable and uses a wheelchair. When her father Frexspar establishes her as heir to his governing authority, he unknowingly sets the stage for disaster.
Estate Planning Lesson: Fiduciary Selection and Incapacity Planning
This is a case study in the importance of incapacity planning—a key part of an estate plan that addresses managing your affairs while you are alive but unable to act on your own.
- The POA Gap: Who had legal authority to handle Nessarose’s finances (Financial Agent) or make her medical decisions (Healthcare Agent) if she became incapacitated?
- The Flawed Choice: Nessarose was given governance without considering her emotional or mental capacity—or the potential for abuse of power. When she eventually becomes a cruel Governor and Wicked Witch of the East, that authority is misused.
This highlights the dangers of:
- Not having a POA: Without a Power of Attorney, a court may have to appoint a guardian (conservator)—a costly and public process.
- Choosing the wrong fiduciary: Your chosen Agent must be neutral, trustworthy, and resilient. They have a fiduciary duty to act solely in your best interest.
For vulnerable individuals, estate plans should include special needs or disability protections—like a Special Needs Trust—to ensure assets are managed responsibly without risking eligibility for government benefits.
No Magic Required for Peace of Mind
From family disputes over shoes to unintended heirs and misguided authority, the world of Oz reminds us how vital estate planning is.
Without clear instructions, even a simple estate—or a pair of slippers—can spark conflict and chaos.
While we can’t guarantee you’ll inherit ruby slippers, we can promise peace of mind by creating a comprehensive estate plan that covers:
- Your Will: Ensuring assets go to the right heirs.
- Power of Attorney (POA): Naming trusted individuals to make financial and healthcare decisions during your lifetime.
- Beneficiary Designations: Reviewing titles and beneficiary forms for all non-probate assets (e.g., life insurance, retirement accounts).
A solid estate plan is the real magic that protects what matters most—your wishes, your family (chosen or otherwise), and your legacy.
If this little trip through Oz has you side eyeing your own estate plan or realizing you don’t actually have one, take that as your sign. Magic won’t sort this stuff out for you. A real plan will.
If you want help putting together a Will, getting your powers of attorney in order, or making sure your loved ones are actually protected the way you think they are, reach out. We make it simple, clear, and way less scary than flying monkeys.
Tap here to schedule a consult and get your estate plan started. Your future self will be very proud of you.
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