Michael Jackson executors sorting through requests for money

January 24, 2010

It’s been seven months since the King of Pop died suddenly at the age of 50, and fights surrounding his estate seem like they may last for many years to come. Creditors are coming out of the woodwork, with new ones surfacing on a weekly basis. The latest, a management company, joins a [...]

Read the full article →

The Revlon chairman’s ill-fated family fortune fight

January 23, 2010

CNN’s Fortune Magazine recently had a fascinating article about Ron Perelman’s efforts to drag his paralyzed, infirm, and elderly ex-father-in-law through one of the most vicious estate battles we’ve seen in a while.
Perelman built most of his billion-dollar fortune through a hostile takeover of Revlon.  In the process, he married and divorced four women, one of whom [...]

Read the full article →

The 6 Most Controversial Celebrity Wills: Michael Jackson, Leona Helmsley, Princess Diana and More

January 18, 2010

Who got the money? Who had the biggest family feuds? The mistakes that were made — and what we can learn from them. Two legal experts in estate planning and the authors of Trial & Heirs have the scoop.

If the recent and sudden death of Michael Jackson taught us something – other than the side [...]

Read the full article →

Trial & Heirs’ Whitney Houston story featured on Huffington Post

January 16, 2010

The Huffington Post recently ran this article featuring an excerpt from Trial & Heirs:  Famous Fortune Fights!
the TRUE STORY of WHITNEY HOUSTON!
Whitney Houston is no stranger to family fights in court. In 2002, the entertainment company owned by her father, John Houston, sued her. John Houston said publicly that his company was owed $100 [...]

Read the full article →

California Court Throws Out Octomom Guardianship Case

January 16, 2010

It’s the Octomom vs. celebrity attorney Gloria Allred!  Battling in the California Court of Appeals over the rights of a stranger to intercede to protect children whom he’s never met, just because they’re on TV.  Well, and because there are 8 babies, plus 6 other kids, and a mom with no husband and no job.
While [...]

Read the full article →

Did Brittany Murphy forget to update her will?

January 7, 2010

Everyone was shocked when actress Brittany Murphy died suddenly at age 32 on December 20th, 2009.  She left behind a husband, Simon Monjack, of two and a half years and a mother with whom she was very close.  Reportedly, her mother lived with Murphy and her husband the last few years.
Only one day after her [...]

Read the full article →

Pauly Shore sues brother for undue influence

January 5, 2010

One of Hollywood’s most famous entertainment spots has sparked what may be a very bitter and ugly family fight in court. 
Comedian Pauly Shore filed a lawsuit claiming that his brother, Peter Shore, has been using unscrupulous behavior and committing undue influence over their 79-year old mother, Mitzi Shore.  Mitzi suffers from Parkinson’s disease [...]

Read the full article →

Brooke Astor’s son gets 1 to 3 year jail sentence

December 30, 2009

Anthony Marshall and the attorney he conspired with, Francis Morrissey, each received jail sentences earlier this week for 1 to 3 years.  They had been convicted of looting Brooke Astor, Marshall’s mother, out of $60 million by convincing her to change her will when she was mentally unable to comprehend it due to Alzheimer’s disease, [...]

Read the full article →

The Ultimate Trust Litigation case

December 23, 2009

Anyone who's ever been through a court battle over a trust or estate knows how important it is for everyone involved.  But some cases carry more importance than others.  The recently-resolved case of Cobell vs. Salazar has as much importance to our nation as any trust fight has ever had.
Elouise Cobell is the lead plaintiff in [...]

Read the full article →

L’Oreal fortune fight leads to interesting criminal case

December 23, 2009

It's been almost a year since The Probate Lawyer Blog featured a story on the court battle over whether the heiress to the L'Oreal fortune has been a victim of fraud and exploitation.  87-year old Liliane Bettencourt has been called Europe's richest woman.  In the article I wrote last December, I explained how Bettencourt's daughter, [...]

Read the full article →

← Previous Entries

Next Entries →