Joseph E. Deering Wills and Probate Law Blog on Lawyers.com

Celebrities’ lifestyles are often high profile. Many celebrities are extremely wealthy, which can result in probate administration riddled with disputes and litigation. Notable examples of celebrity death feuds among prospective heirs include:

§  Anna Nicole Smith. Anna Nicole Smith, the young Playboy model wife of Texas oil billionaire J. Howard Marshall II began probate litigation after his death. She litigated against her former stepson E. Pierce Marshall, and the legal battle has continued for 15 years and beyond the death of both Anna Nicole and Pierce. The litigation resulted in a lawsuit in a Texas state court against the estate and a lawsuit in California federal bankruptcy court in connection with Anna Nicole's bankruptcy proceeding. The claims, counterclaims, appeals, and the fact that two courts litigated issues involved with the Marshall estate created a legal complexity that few, if any, celebrity probates have rivaled.

§  Michael Jackson. The legal battle over Michael Jackson's estate began with Katherine and Joe Jackson filing to open the estate. Michael Jackson's former attorney John Branca and former manager John McClain requested appointment as estate executors.  Initially Katherine objected to the appointment request and later dropped the objection. Michael Jackson's estate is held in a trust, but the estate administration is ongoing and still complicated by the fact that not all the assets were properly transferred to the trust.

§  Ray Charles. Probate litigation was initiated by Ray Charles' former mistress Mary Anne Den Bok to increase child support payments for her 17-year-old son Corey. After Charles’ death, the executor began paying $3,000 a month for child support, which according to Den Bok did not sustain the child in the lifestyle he was accustomed to living.  The estimated worth of Charles' estate was $100,000,000 and was expected to receive $25 million a year from royalties and publishing rights.  She demanded $60,000 a month, which she considered proportionate to Charles' wealth. Her lawsuit opened up cross-examination challenging paternity, despite the fact that her son was named as Charles' son in his will. Ray Charles fathered 12 children, of which Corey was the youngest.

The outcomes of such disputes often rely on the individual lawyer’s legal skills. An experienced Santa Monica probate attorney can answer questions and provide effective strategies in resolving probate issues.

Joseph E. Deering, Jr. Attorney at Law
725 Arizona Avenue
Suite 20
Santa Monica CA 90401
(877) 410-8743