Book Review: “A Matter of Life and Death” by Jehan Crump-Gibson, Esq. * Probate Court Bond

Book Review: “A Matter of Life and Death” by Jehan Crump-Gibson, Esq.

Probate Reads™ by ProbateCourtBond.com

Reviewed by ProbateCourtBond.com
Category: Estate Planning / Probate / Guardianship

Overview

When a book about probate court makes you feel prepared instead of panicked, you know you’ve found something rare. A Matter of Life and Death: How to Handle Family Affairs During Illness and Death and Keep Probate Court Out of Your Business by Jehan Crump-Gibson, Esq., transforms one of life’s most intimidating topics into something clear, relatable, and surprisingly empowering. It is part real-life storytelling, part practical guidance, and entirely eye opening. It belongs in every attorney’s waiting room, every caregiver’s hand, and every family’s planning toolkit.

Crump-Gibson approaches estate planning, guardianship, incapacity, and end-of-life decisions with honesty, humor, and a deep understanding of how families truly behave when stress hits. Each chapter reminds you that preparing your affairs is not about fear, it is one of the most loving things you can do for the people who will one day have to pick up the pieces.

What Makes It Worth Reading

Most probate guides feel heavy. This one feels like someone finally turned the lights on. The writing is crisp, the stories are vivid, and the lessons land with a mix of humor, honesty, and gentle urgency. Readers meet families in “A Million Heirs,” “Big Mama Drama,” “Oil and Water,” and “Stepmonster,” and see how quickly simple assumptions can become full-blown disasters when no plan exists.

It’s a guide that makes you pause, reflect, and then actually take action. Crump-Gibson translates probate, guardianship, and incapacity planning into something human and relatable, showing why tools like powers of attorney, healthcare directives, living trusts, and clear instructions are not just legal documents, they are acts of love. Even seasoned attorneys and fiduciaries will appreciate how she turns high-stress situations into clear, practical steps that anyone can follow.

Best For

• Adults who have never created an estate plan
• Families caring for aging parents
• New parents protecting young children
• Executors and fiduciaries who need real-world context
• Estate planning and probate professionals seeking an approachable resource for clients

Key Takeaways

• Probate court is avoidable in many situations with even basic planning
• Families often fight more over sentimental items than over money
• A simple estate plan can save loved ones enormous time, cost, and stress

ProbateCourtBond.com Perspective

At ProbateCourtBond.com, we work with families, attorneys, and fiduciaries who confront the challenges of probate, incapacity, and family decision making every day. Jehan Crump-Gibson’s book highlights exactly why early planning is so important. It shows how simple steps can spare loved ones stress, conflict, and unnecessary court involvement.

Recognition

Featured in Probate Reads™ by ProbateCourtBond.com
A Must-Read for Every Family and Every Estate Planner “Essential reading for anyone who wants to keep the courts out of their family’s business.”

Where to Find It

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About the Author

Jehan Crump-Gibson, Esq. is a Michigan attorney and co-founder of Great Lakes Legal Group PLLC. She focuses on estate planning and probate, helping families navigate some of life’s hardest moments with clarity and compassion. Her real-world courtroom experience inspired this book, written to help people avoid the very pitfalls she sees every day.

Series Note

This review is part of Probate Reads™ by ProbateCourtBond.com, an ongoing series by ProbateCourtBond.com featuring books that demystify probate, guardianship, and estate planning, making these complex topics more accessible and relatable.

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