Visitors Center at “The Breakers” Causes Feud

When nonprofit organizations assume ownership of historical estates conflicts often arise between the nonprofits and the descendants of those who used to live at the estate. This is the case with a current feud over the Vanderbilts' estate. The… Read More
Read More

Why Choose a Non-Family Trustee?

When naming the trustees to administer a trust, the first people who come to mind are beloved family members.  Some people stop there and appoint one of those family members, but they really should think twice before doing so. When creating trus… Read More
Read More

Paul Walker's Car Collection

Paul Walker was famous for his movies about fast cars so it should come as no surprise that he owned a lot of vehicles. Exactly how many vehicles he owned and whether or not his estate has possession of all of them is the subject of a new lawsuit. Fr… Read More
Read More

Digging Up Dad's Grave for $50 Million

Most people would not consider digging up their father's grave for the sole purpose of securing a DNA test to prove that the man listed on their birth certificate is not their real father.  A woman in New York did just that. Nina Sebastiana… Read More
Read More

Two Types of Inheritors

People who inherit a lot of wealth generally fall into one of two categories: those who want to work hard and those who want to pursue their own pleasure. Most families have both types. Recently, Forbes published an article describing the two general… Read More
Read More

Editor's Watergate Papers Donated to University

Watergate continues to be perhaps the most important political scandal in United States history. Now, the papers of the reporters and the editor who broke the story will all be housed in the same place thanks to an estate donation. Ben Bradlee was th… Read More
Read More

Billionaire Giving Pledge Is Not Binding

When they created the Giving Pledge, Bill Gates and Warren Buffet received a lot of praise and publicity. Billionaires who have joined the pledge have received the same. It might surprise you that the pledge is non-binding and unenforceable. However,… Read More
Read More

Widow Sues to Resume Estate Payments

An interesting estate case was recently filed in Manhattan. On one side, a widow is suing her stepchildren claiming that they were supposed to give her a monthly stipend for life. On the other side, the stepchildren claim there was never a marriage a… Read More
Read More

Dispute over MLK's Estate May Be Coming to an End

Over the years there have been several disputes concerning the estate of Martin Luther King Jr. The latest has pitted his children against each other. It now appears that a settlement might be forthcoming. Many of the personal effects of Martin Luthe… Read More
Read More

Widows and Estate Planning

When their husbands pass away many women feel overwhelmed with the estate's affairs. However, with some planning and a few simple tasks most widows can get a good handle on the situation. Even when there is time to prepare for losing a husband d… Read More
Read More