Each of the California county superior courts offers a probate department where they administer decedents’ estates. Through the court process, the court distributes assets of the estate to the decedent’s beneficiaries or heirs. An estate planning attorney starts a probate case with or without a will. The probate court process allows the executor to pay the decedent’s outstanding taxes and debts from their assets. If the decedent possessed a valid will, the court divides the estate assets to beneficiaries pursuant to the instructions set forth in the will. In the absences of a will, the estate assets pass to the decedent’s heirs. The laws of intestate succession in California apply. In other words, without a will, the court assess heirs and asset distribution. This blog post looks at celebrity estates.
Celebrity Estates: William Shakespeare’s Will
William Shakespeare’s will amuses and confounds. Toward the end of his life, the Bard disliked his wife, Anne Hathaway. In his last will and testament, he left her only his “second best bed. The will provided a
warded the remainder of his estate to his daughter. Historians debate whether this was a joke or a snub, since Hathaway seemed to possess sufficient funds for the rest of her life.
Leona Helmsley: Celebrity Estates
The wealthy hotel magnate, Leona Helmsley, aka the “Queen of Mean” inherited $5 billion from her husband Harry Helmsley when he died in 1997. Her will stipulated that $12 million be held in a trust fund for her dog (a Maltese named Trouble.) A judge later reduced the dog’s inheritance to $2 million. Her will also directed that the dog’s remains rest in the Helmsley family mausoleum next to Leona.
More Celebrity Estates: Jack Benny 
Jack Benny, “star of stage, screen and television,” died in 1974. His will instructed the executor that every day after his death, a florist should deliver one long stem rose to his widow, Mary Livingstone, for the rest of her life. Mary Livingstone confirmed that the executor carried out Jack Benny’s instructions to the letter.
Celebrity Estates: Luis Carlos de Noronha Cabral da Camara
The wealthy Portuguese bachelor, Luis Carlos de Noronha Cabral da Camara died in 1988 at 42. Although he was wealthy, he was also unhappy. He also had few friends and no children of his own. When he asked an attorney to prepare his will, he stipulated the notary hand him a copy of the Lisbon phonebook. Luis Carlos then picked 70 random names from the book. He left these lucky, randomly chosen individuals several thousand euros each. Luis Carlos told the notary that he preferred to give the money to strangers rather than to the government.
About Walnut Creek Elder Law in Walnut Creek, California
Michael J. Young is an experienced elder law, estate planning and asset protection planning attorney in Walnut Creek, CA. Mr. Young advises his clients regarding their estate planning needs with an emphasis on asset protection, Medi-Cal qualification, and preservation of assets for various levels of their care as they get older. Mr. Young’s journey into elder law began when his mother suffered from an acute injury that required her to be in a skilled nursing facility. He is co-author of the book, Don’t Go Broke in A Nursing Home and is the author of the “Alzheimer’s Legal Survival Guide.” Mr. Young presents monthly workshops in Walnut Creek regarding estate planning, asset protection, and Medi-Cal planning. He has helped many clients over the years successfully qualify for Medi-Cal and has protected their assets from state recovery. Call today to schedule a consultation (925) 256-0298.