Comedian Richard Pryor was a fairly controversial character when he was alive, so it may come as no surprise that his death in 2005 triggered a family feud that continues to make headlines to this day. Pryor’s life included multiple marriages, a failed attempt at a blended family, … [Read more...] about When Estate Planning Goes Wrong — The Richard Pryor Family Feud
Celebrity Estates
Aretha Dies Intestate!
Aretha may have wanted R-E-S-P-E-C-T, but instead got I-N-T-E-S-T-A-T-E. According to reporting by CNN, Aretha Franklin died without a Will or Trust. This made me Think. An icon, a diva a woman who is Young, Gifted and Black, dying … [Read more...] about Aretha Dies Intestate!
Planning for your frequent flyer miles. How Anthony Bourdain did it.
Anthony Bourdain did something most American's fail to do- he created an estate plan and laid out exactly who he wanted to get what when he died. I think that most of us would have imagined that he would have had a larger estate than he did with his success he had … [Read more...] about Planning for your frequent flyer miles. How Anthony Bourdain did it.
Probate of Prince’s Estate Drags On While Beneficiaries Wait and Expenses Mount
Despite acknowledging the importance of having at least a basic estate plan in place, over half of all Americans do not have one. One of the most important motivations for creating an estate plan should be to ensure that you do not leave behind an intestate estate. Amazingly, it is not only the … [Read more...] about Probate of Prince’s Estate Drags On While Beneficiaries Wait and Expenses Mount
Tragic loss at All Ages
This weekend demonstrates that Death treats us all equally. Death does not care if you are rich or you are poor. Death reaches out and takes you when it feels it is your time. As a sports fan, I was impacted by last weekend’s loss of Arnold Palmer and Jose Fernandez. At 87 years young, Arnold … [Read more...] about Tragic loss at All Ages
This is what it sounds like When Doves Cry
Purple rain, purple rain is falling upon the millions of fans who grieve over the death of rock and pop legend, Prince. Prince, also known as Prince Rogers Nelson, passed last week at his Paisley Park home. Now what happens to his estate? When you are rich and famous, the popular misconception is … [Read more...] about This is what it sounds like When Doves Cry
The Mastery of David Bowie
We lost one of the greatest singers and songwriters of any generation. David Bowie succumbed to his fight with cancer on January 10th. His voice and his lyrics resonate with millions of people. But his mastery of music is only one area he is a genius. David Bowie has written over 700 songs, and … [Read more...] about The Mastery of David Bowie
Some of the Most Interesting Gifts
Robin Williams is blocking an Aladdin sequel even after he died. His will has provisions that Disney cannot use his voice from outtakes from the original movie until 25 years after he passed (so the year 2039!). When drafting an estate plan (a trust or a will), there are countless ways to … [Read more...] about Some of the Most Interesting Gifts
Learning from the Robin Williams’ Estate
Actor Robin Williams passed away in August 2014. Prior to his passing, he established a trust that gave the majority of his estate to his three children. The trust also directed that one of his homes go to his wife for the remainder of her lifetime. This type of transfer is called a life estate. A … [Read more...] about Learning from the Robin Williams’ Estate
Time Flies
As April showers are springing into May flowers, I realize how quickly life moves. It seems only yesterday that we were taking down the Christmas tree, and now we are quickly moving into summer vacations. The way time slips past, I realize more and more the importance of what I get to do for a … [Read more...] about Time Flies
