An Empty Legacy – When Celebrities Choose to Disinherit
April 19, 2012 By Robert J. Kulas, P.A.
As you go about creating your estate plan and making choices about who you want to receive your property, you may experience a feeling of relief in knowing that your family will be cared for after your death.However, for many people, including some celebrities, the final choice they make is to disinherit their family or to leave their children and family members out of any inheritance whatsoever. Let’s take a look at a couple of the more famous examples.
Marlon Brando
Though he died leaving behind an estate valued at about $30 million, the famous actor also chose to disinherit some family members. His grandson, Tuki Brando, was the son of his previously deceased daughter, Cheyenne. Mr. Brando left Tuki, as well as a daughter he fathered with his longtime personal assistant, completely out of his inheritance. Why he did so is unclear, though Tuki's mother had committed suicide and his personal assistant had settled a lawsuits against Mr. Brando just weeks before his death.
Michael Jackson
Though he left his mother and his children well cared for after his death, Michael Jackson's estate plan cut out nearly everyone else in his family. After he died in 2009 leaving behind an estate worth over $500 million, Mr. Jackson's estate plan directed that his children and his mother be named as beneficiaries of the trust that owns his entire fortune. The estate plan, however, made no provisions for any of his famous siblings or his father, Joe Jackson.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Robert Kulas
Experienced estate planning attorneys Port St. Lucie FL of the Robert J. Kulas, P.A. offers estate planning and business planning resources to residents of Port St. Lucie FL.
Copyright Robert J. Kulas, P.A.
More information about Robert J. Kulas, P.A.
Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication, it is not intended to provide legal advice as individual situations will differ and should be discussed with an expert and/or lawyer. For specific technical or legal advice on the information provided and related topics, please contact the author.
Though he died leaving behind an estate valued at about $30 million, the famous actor also chose to disinherit some family members. His grandson, Tuki Brando, was the son of his previously deceased daughter, Cheyenne. Mr. Brando left Tuki, as well as a daughter he fathered with his longtime personal assistant, completely out of his inheritance. Why he did so is unclear, though Tuki's mother had committed suicide and his personal assistant had settled a lawsuits against Mr. Brando just weeks before his death.
Michael Jackson
Though he left his mother and his children well cared for after his death, Michael Jackson's estate plan cut out nearly everyone else in his family. After he died in 2009 leaving behind an estate worth over $500 million, Mr. Jackson's estate plan directed that his children and his mother be named as beneficiaries of the trust that owns his entire fortune. The estate plan, however, made no provisions for any of his famous siblings or his father, Joe Jackson.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Robert Kulas
Experienced estate planning attorneys Port St. Lucie FL of the Robert J. Kulas, P.A. offers estate planning and business planning resources to residents of Port St. Lucie FL.
Copyright Robert J. Kulas, P.A.
More information about Robert J. Kulas, P.A.
View all articles published by Robert J. Kulas, P.A.
Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication, it is not intended to provide legal advice as individual situations will differ and should be discussed with an expert and/or lawyer. For specific technical or legal advice on the information provided and related topics, please contact the author.
