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The Vanderbilt family has fallen into a full-blown public spat with the nonprofit organization that now owns their spectacular Rhode Island mansion called The Breakers. The Breakers is currently owned and maintained by the nonprofit Preservation Society of Newport that proposes to build a visitors center on a currently empty portion of the estate to […]
Unconfirmed reports point to a battle between the Houston family and Whitney’s ex-husband, Bobby Brown, over daughter Bobbi Kristina’s end-of-life care. Beyond moral considerations, however, there are tens of millions of dollars playing a behind-the-scenes role in the conflict. Whitney Houston’s will did not leave her daughter, Bobbi Kristina Brown, an inheritance in a single […]
The U.S. Wills Registry is an online service that offers to keep track of the location and holder of a will. Would you use this service? As reported by the Wills, Trusts & Estates Prof Blog in a recent article titled “New Service to Track Location Of A Will,” the new U.S. Will Registry now […]
Wills occupy a curious place in our collective psyche. They are one of the oldest forms of legal document, having existed in written form since Anglo-Saxon times. They are, wrote Dickens, “the curious old records of likings and dislikings; of jealousies and revenges; of affection defying the power of death, and hatred pursued beyond the […]
An argument is being made that the “slayer” rule — which says you can’t murder someone and then inherit their money — be extended to lengths never seen in Missouri. Missouri prosecutors allege that in 2010 Kansas City attorney Susan Van Note entered her wealthy father’s lakefront home, then attacked him and his girlfriend Sharon […]
Aesop’s Fable of the hard working Ant and the all-play Cricket holds true for Individuals who inherit a great deal of wealth and just want to play. Most families include both types in all generations. A recent piece in Forbesdescribes two extremes seen in people who inherit large amounts of wealth. The article, “(Some) Inheritors […]
Selecting an individual to serve as a trustee is a challenging process, and the usual default is to a family member. But that’s not always the best solution. Here are some points to consider on the selection of a trustee. One of the toughest decisions in estate planning centers on selecting a trustworthy family member […]
It is more likely that your family will come to blows over Great Grandmother’s favorite serving platter than over a bank account. Sentimental value attached to minor items are more likely to cause upset and drama, and those are the items most often left out of estate plans. For most people, it is not the […]
A New York woman went to court to force a DNA test to prove that the man on her birth certificate was not her father. Unfortunately, it involved digging up a grave. Yes, this one is ripped right from the headlines – in this case, from the New York Post, which is infamous for its colorful […]
Known for his movies about fast cars, Paul Walker owned a large number of very expensive cars. A lawsuit alleges that a number of these cars were taken within 24 hours of his death by an acquaintance – but it is unclear how many vehicles he owned. Actor Paul Walker’s life was all about fast cars […]
