There are a wide range of different scenarios that can present themselves after someone passes away. This is one of the reasons why it is important to get personalized attention from a good estate planning attorney when you are looking forward toward the future.
You have to be honest with your attorney and explain everything in detail, even some things that may be a bit unconventional. The purpose of estate planning is to make sure that your wishes are carried out after your passing. If you leave any ambiguities out there you could be leaving a tangled situation behind you.
The case of the artist Thomas Kinkade has been an interesting one, and a settlement has finally been reached. Kinkade was living with a woman named Amy Pinto at the time of his death. However, he was still legally married to his wife Nanette.
The couple had executed a professionally prepared estate plan when they were together. But Kinkade also left behind two handwritten last wills leaving his girlfriend a home and millions of dollars to establish a museum that would house his work.
Kinkade’s wife did not want to honor the terms of these handwritten last wills. In fact, an expert who examined the documents concluded that the handwriting is consistent with someone who was probably quite intoxicated.
In the end the two women have reached an agreement. However, the exact details of the settlement have not been made available to the public at the present time.
This case certainly points out why you should always speak with a licensed attorney when you are interested in changing the terms of an existing estate plan.
Mr. Horowitz was awarded his Juris Doctor degree with honors from the University of Connecticut School of Law. While attending law school, Mr. Horowitz received the American Jurisprudence Award in Legal Ethics and the Nathan Burkan Award.
After graduation from law school, Mr. Horowitz continued his legal education at New York University School of Law where he received a Post Doctorate Law Degree in Taxation. He has also recently received a national achievement award.
Mr. Horowitz is admitted to practice before all the state courts in the State of Connecticut and the United States District Court.
Mr. Horowitz was selected for Super Lawyers in 2021, 2022 and 2023.
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