We lost talk show legend, Larry King, in January 2021. He had been star of our television screens for decades and had certainly led an interesting life. When he passed he left behind six ex-wives, with the seventh ex-wife pending, five children and a supposedly "secret" handwritten will.
Even if you don't listen to pop music, its been hard to ignore the recent news about Britney Spears and the #FreeBritney movement. In 2008, pop singer and superstar performer Britney Spears had a widely publicized emotional and mental breakdown leading to a series of bizarre and erratic behaviors. As a result, her family sought a conservatorship (often referred to as a guardianship in Ohio) through the court system to protect Britney and her minor children from her poor financial and healthcare decisions. Over time, however, Britney Spears' fans, and others concerned about her welfare, have followed her situation and have come to believe that the conservatorship has been kept in place for too long. Her case is a lesson in why a conservatorship may not be the best approach for many individuals.
If there was a villain to be played in a movie, chances are they were more than likely played by Christopher Lee. From terrifying audiences as "Count Dracula" in the old Hammer Horror movies, to “Saruman” in the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies, to Bond villain “Francisco Scaramanga” in The Man with the Golden Gun, he carved out a career that would last decades. Yet the illustrious actor's estate had a net worth of "nil" noted on documentation presented for probate. How could this be?
It is important to understand how a subsequent marriage can impact the estate planning from a prior marriage. If you or someone named in your estate planning documents has remarried, there are several major issues that you should be aware of as well as steps you should take to ensure your estate planning continues to be appropriate for your current situation.
Bob Ross was an artist whose television show, "The Joy of Painting" did indeed bring the joy of painting and creativity into our homes during the '80s and '90s. The artist remains more popular than ever today, thanks to a resurgence on social media via memes and ASMR content. However, after his death, there were many legal challenges to his legacy.
Married five times, divorced four, Kenny Rogers is remembered for his multiple marriages, lavish lifestyle and a highly recognisable back catalogue of hit songs. His concerts sold out until the day he finished touring. He was one of the worlds most iconic country stars. However, the multi-million dollar earning star may not have left much of his fortune behind.
If you are the executor of your loved one’s estate or the trustee of their trust, there are some things you need to know. You are responsible for ensuring that the trust and estate administration goes according to plan as laid out in your loved one’s will or trust, possibly with the assistance of a lawyer. Though it is not legally required, you may choose to involve other family members in your meetings with the attorney, especially in the beginning phases of the administration. Bringing others to meetings can provide greater transparency and avoid contention. However, the attorney–client relationship extends solely to you. The attorney has a legal duty to, and takes direction from, only you.
Famous comedienne, Joan Rivers, spent her life making millions making us laugh. After her unexpected death in 2014, many newspapers and media outlets began to speculate about the contents and distribution of her estate. However, Joan had known her last will and testament would become tabloid fodder and had taken steps to ensure her and her loved one's privacy was maintained.
A couple may choose to use a Separate Revocable Living Trust, as opposed to a Joint Revocable Living Trust for many reasons. In some states, there can be tax benefits. RLTs also provide enhanced asset protection for married couples, simplify trust administration after one or both spouses passes away, and clarify the division of property in a remarriage or blended family situation.
It is perfectly reasonable that you would want your children to make their own way in the world. Many high profile people are choosing to disinherit their children now, rather than provide them with an inheritance they may or may not be able to handle. However, there are other reasons that people may choose to disinherit loved ones.
