Leslie Scism and Mark Maremont writing for the Wall Street Journal detail the story of the late Germain Tomlinson who was found dead in her bathtub at the age of 74 "fully clothed from an evening out at a martini bar, high heels still on her feet." Her "social companion," 36-year old JB Carlson had a $15
Probate Litigation in the News
The Art of the Steal
Manohla Dargis writes a movie review of a documentary about the Barnes Foundation for the New York Times.
Dr. Albert Barnes’ will provided that the collection must remain in its original location – the mansion in Lower Merion Township, Pennsylvania.
The Foundation became embroiled in controversy due to a financial crisis in the 1990s, partially related…
Billionaire Mel Simon’s Widow and his Kids Fight it Out.
Mel Simon, who died at age 82 in September 2009, left behind a huge estate tangled in litigation. Mr. Simon was famous for building shopping centers – including the huge multi-use complex, Mall of America, located outside of Minneapolis, known as the U.S.’s largest mall. Forbes estimated his net worth at $1.3 billion.
Mr.
Privacy Rights of John E. duPont, Convicted Murderer
Trusts and Estates published an article by John T. Brooks and Samantha E. Weissbluth:
Wrestling with the Privacy Rights Of John E. du Pont, Convicted Murderer
A Pennsylvania court weighs in on a former wrestler’s bid to unseal the records of du Pont’s incapacity hearing so as to peer into his trust documents.
Brooke Astor’s Son Sentenced
Brooke Astor’s son, Anthony Marshall, 85, was sentenced to one to three years in prison. He was convicted earlier this year of 13 felonies and one misdemeanor. Marshall’s former attorney, Francis Morrissey was also convicted on five counts including forgery and scheming to defraud Astor. CNN reports:
During the trial, Marshall was portrayed as…
Liliane Bettencourt
Liliane Bettencourt is the heiress to the L’Oreal cosmetics fortune. Forbes estimates her net worth at $13.4 billion and lists her as the richest woman in Europe.
Her daughter, Francoise Bettentcourt-Meyers fied a criminal complaint in December 2007 against Francois-Marie Banier, a photographer, for exploiting the frail Mrs. Bettencourt and influencing her to give him…
Martin Luther King Jr.’s Children Resolve Bitter Dispute Over Estate
Bruce Carton at Legal Blog Watch writes:
"An out-of-court settlement has finally resolved a long-standing dispute among Dr. Martin Luther King’s children over his multimillion-dollar estate.
Although Dr. King died in 1968, his estate continues to produce substantial income. Among other things, the estate includes the broadcast rights to Dr. King’s “I have a…
A Modern Day Jarndyce and Jarndyce
Remember Jarndyce and Jarndyce? The Chancery suit that goes on and on in Dickens’ Bleak House?
From the first chapter of Dickens’ Bleak House:
Jarndyce and Jarndyce drones on. This scarecrow of a suit has, in course of time, become so complicated that no man alive knows what it means. The parties to
…
Brooke Astor’s Son Anthony Marshall Found Guilty
The jury came back on October 8, 2009 on the 11th day of deliberations with the verdict: guilty on 14 counts including first-degree grand larceny and scheming to defraud.
The co-defendant, estate planning lawyer Francis X. Morrissey Jr. was convicted on 5 counts including scheming to defraud, conspiracy and forgery.
The trial took 5 months. …
Wills Can Impose Religious Conditions
The Chicago Tribune reports the Supreme Court of Illinois’ unanimous decision in the Erla Feinberg case. Here is Manya A. Brachear’s and Ron Grossman’s article: Illinois Supreme Court: Wills can use religious tests.
We blogged about the case before: The Jewish Clause. Read the Illinois Supreme Court opinion here.
"Although those plans might be offensive…