Actor and producer, James Gandolfini was famously known as the likeable mafia man Tony Soprano on the long running cable television series, The Sopranos. On the show, family meant everything. Well, sort of, anyway. In real life, Gandolfini’s family really did mean everything and he had the best intentions when...
Sonny Bono, the singer, songwriter, restauranteur, and former Congressman, died in a tragic ski accident in 1998 at the age of 62. His net worth was just under $2 million at the time of his death, yet Bono did not have a will. Apparently, he meant to have one drawn...
Michael Jackson, the “King of Pop,” had always been a controversial superstar. Over the years, he became the father of three children, Prince Michael Jackson II, Paris-Michael Katherine Jackson, and Michael Joseph Jackson, Jr. While Jackson created a trust to care for his children and other family and friends, he never...
Legendary Oscar-winning actor Marlon Brando left the bulk of his estate (worth approximately $26 million) to his producer, other associates, and his longtime housekeeper, Angela Borlaza. Brando created a valid last will and testament. However, he did not include Borlaza – who later sued alleging that Brando promised that she would...
James Brown, the legendary singer, songwriter, record producer, dancer, and bandleader was known to many as the “Godfather of Soul.” Although he intended his estimated $100 million estate to provide for all of his children and grandchildren, his intentions were somewhat vague. This forced his family into years of litigation...
Choosing a trustee is a very personal matter and should never be left to chance. Doris Duke, heiress of Duke’s energy and tobacco fortunes, didn’t seem to know her trustee very well at all. After Duke passed in 1992, her trustee bilked the estate for over $1 million. It begs...
Dennis Hopper, known for his role in Easy Rider, wanted to leave his fortune to his family. Well, not everyone in his family. Hopper made numerous estate planning changes in the last months of his life. His goal? To make sure his heirs shared his approximately $40 million in wealth...
When creating a last will and testament, it’s important to know who your beneficiaries are. Sadly, that’s not always the case. Marilyn Monroe, one of the world’s most famous icons, didn’t seem to have any idea to whom she left her money. Acting Coach & Psychiatrist Got Everything Marilyn Monroe died at...
Although most people have at least a couple unique wrinkles to address when planning their estates, people who own property outside the US face special challenges. Depending on the country where the property is located, the heirs involved, citizenship status of the owners and beneficiaries, value of the estate and other...
A Colorado state senate committee recently defeated a bill that would have given individuals facing a terminal illness the right to perform a medically assisted suicide. This was not the first time such a bill was rejected in Colorado. A similar bill was defeated last year, based on concerns that some people...