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Debate Over Broadway Star’s Estate

January 9, 2014 by Morris Hall, PLLC Leave a Comment

Five-time Tony award-winning Broadway actress Julie Harris passed away in August, leaving behind an estate estimated at $10 million.  Ms. Harris suffered two strokes prior to her passing and was seldom seen outside her home in the last years of her life.  Ms. Harris also left behind quite a controversy, one leaving many people crying “undue influence.”

Late in her life, Julie Harris was befriended by Francesca Rubino, a minor soap opera actress.  Former employees and friends assert Rubino worked her way into Harris’ life and financial affairs, while keeping Harris away from her son, Peter Gurian.

Rubino took out an order of protection against Peter three years before Harris’ death; as a result, Peter had no contact with Harris in the final three years of her life.  The separation was particularly odd because Peter lived in a home built right next to his mother’s.  A great deal of the controversy surrounding the Estate centers on a codicil that states Peter would receive nothing if he were to harass Ms. Harris or any of her friends.  It is Peter’s contention that his mother lacked testamentary capacity and that the codicil was a result of Rubino’s undue influence..

Ms. Harris named Rubino co-executor of her estate.  Although Harris left the bulk of her estate to Peter, Rubino stands to gain up to $200,000 in commissions, a $50,000 inheritance, and the ten items of tangible personal property of her choosing.  Rubino claims all accusations directed toward her come from disgruntled former employees.

The fallout from the accusations is still unfolding.  Although Ms. Harris’ estate is playing out in a very public forum, and is probably more dramatic than what occurs upon most deaths, strife among survivors is relatively common.  Having the support of a firm experienced in estate administration can make all the difference.

Contributed by MH Phoenix Estate Planning Attorney  Andrea L Claus.

What the Attorneys of Morris Hall Can Do For You:
The attorneys at Morris Hall have 100’s of years of combined experience ensuring that families’ assets are protected from probate, unnecessary taxes, creditors, ex-spouses and Medicaid spend-down.  The attorneys also help those in Arizona to apply for and receive Medicaid assistance and Veterans Benefits.  Our Arizona offices are located in Phoenix, Mesa, Scottsdale, Cave Creek, Tucson, Prescott, Flagstaff and Arrowhead.    Contact us today at 888.222.1328 to schedule an appointment!

This blog should be used for informational purposes only.  It does not create an attorney-client relationship with any reader and should not be construed as legal advice.  If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney in your community who can assess the specifics of your situation.

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Morris Hall, PLLC
Morris Hall, PLLC
Company at Morris Hall, PLLC
For more than five decades, Morris Hall has been providing quality estate planning legal services for its clients seeking opportunities to preserve wealth and assets through estate preservation plans.

In fact, estate planning, asset preservation and probate law have been our only areas of practice. We are proud to have helped thousands of individuals of all levels of wealth and assets, people concerned about protecting their families from the devastating legal and financial effects of disability and death.
Morris Hall, PLLC
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