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Estate Planning for VO Talent:
Protecting Your Legacy
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By David J. Kozlowski, June 15, 2025
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As a voice actor, your talent is your brand and most valuable asset. Whether you have a portfolio of character voices, audiobook credits, or commercial recordings, your intellectual property and residual income may live on beyond your lifetime. Estate planning and succession planning are thus key considerations for your professional and personal financial health.
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Estate Planning Concerns for Voice Actors
Voice acting often generates ongoing income on the back-end, and royalties and residuals from past work may be perpetual. Without proper estate planning, that income can become inaccessible or mismanaged after your passing. Additionally, the rise of AI introduces various licensing and control issues. Without proper consideration, your voice recordings and brand could fall into legal limbo, affecting the ability of your heirs to benefit from your legacy.
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Key Elements to Consider
- Will and Beneficiaries: Every voice actor should have a will that designates who inherits their assets, including intellectual property rights. Additionally, if you receive income through an LLC, the ownership equity of the entity should also be addressed.
- Trusts for Ongoing Management: A revocable living trust may be useful for voiceover artists. Royalties and intellectual property may be transferred into the trust during your lifetime, ensuring continuity of management and income distribution to your beneficiaries, without the delays of probate.
- Intellectual Property Rights: Voice actors should manage their portfolio of intellectual property. Your estate plan should similarly address who controls any owned voice recordings, character rights, or other IP, as well as the artist’s name, image, and likeness.
- Professional Succession: Some voice actors work with a professional team: managers, agents, attorneys, accountants, and production teams. You should consider whether, and how, those relationships should continue after passing. Guidance can be included in your prepared estate plan.
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Final Thoughts
Estate planning is for everyone, no matter their stage of life or level of wealth, and it is essential for professionals who want to make sure their creative legacy is respected, protected, and passed on properly. As a voice actor, you should consult with an attorney who understands the nuances of your trade. With the right plan in place, your voice and legacy can continue to benefit your designees for generations to come. ♦♦♦
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Dave Kozlowski is a partner at Morrison Cohen LLP, a prominent Manhattan-based law firm with a national focus on legal services for businesses, entrepreneurs, and individuals. You can reach Dave by email or follow him on LinkedIn.
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