James Brown, the legendary singer, songwriter, record producer, dancer, and bandleader was known to many as the “Godfather of Soul.” Although he intended his estimated $100 million estate to provide for all of his children and grandchildren, his intentions were somewhat vague. This forced his family into years of litigation which ended up in the […]
Last Will
Are Handwritten Intentions Enforceable? Princess Diana Thought So…
Princess Diana of Wales was one of the world’s most loved celebrities – and one of the richest. Her tragic death in 1997 was world news. The majority of her estate, reportedly worth $40 million at the time of her death, was divided between Prince William and Prince Harry in her estate plan. However, she […]
When is a Will Valid in Texas?
Is my loved-one’s will valid? Is one of the most important questions we hear from people. As with all legal questions, the answer is… IT DEPENDS! Moreover, the validity of a Will depends on the TYPE of Will the Testator made, but before we go into this, here are the main requirements for wills in […]
Baltimore Register of Wills Can’t Find Her Father’s Original Last Will, Will Your Family Be Able to Find Yours?
While it’s not unusual for an original last will and testament to be misplaced, it is when your daughter happens to be the Register of Wills for Baltimore City. What is a Register of Wills? In Maryland, the Register of Wills is an elected official in each county and the City of Baltimore who is […]
Dennis Hopper Saves Heirs with Last Minute Estate Plan Changes
Dennis Hopper, known for his role in Easy Rider, wanted to leave his fortune to his family. Well, not everyone in his family. Hopper made numerous estate planning changes in the last months of his life. His goal? To make sure his heirs shared his approximately $40 million in wealth and that his fifth, and […]
Philip Seymour Hoffman’s Will: 3 Critical Mistakes
Oscar-winning actor Philip Seymour Hoffman died from a drug overdose in February 2014. Sadly, he left behind three young children – and a fortune estimated to be worth $35 million. He was only 46. After his death, Mr. Hoffman’s Last Will and Testament was filed for probate. The Will is short – only 15 pages […]