Sarasota Wills, Trusts & Probate Attorney

Illustration featuring a microphone, music notes, a document labeled 'Will,' and a judge's gavel in the background, symbolizing the legal disputes and family conflicts over James Brown's estate.

James Brown’s Estate and Its Lengthy Legal Disputes

What Happened? The “Godfather of Soul,” James Brown, passed away on Christmas Day in 2006. Despite leaving behind a will, his estate became entangled in over 15 years of legal […]

Anna Nicole Smith and J. Howard Marshall – A Tale of Marriage, Inheritance, and Legal Battles

What Happened? Anna Nicole Smith, a former model, married billionaire J. Howard Marshall in 1994, when she was 26 and he was 89. When Marshall passed away just over a […]

Illustration showing stacks of money, music notes, a blank document, and a judge's gavel in the background, symbolizing the tax and legal disputes over Michael Jackson's estate and intellectual property.

Michael Jackson’s Estate: Trusts and Troubles

What Happened? When Michael Jackson died in 2009, his estate was valued at around $500 million. He had established a will and a trust, but that didn’t stop legal challenges […]

Illustration featuring a legal document, an outline of a family photo, and a judge's gavel in the background, symbolizing the importance of updating a will to include new family members.

Heath Ledger’s Estate: Unintended Consequences

What Happened? After actor Heath Ledger passed away in 2008, his will, created years prior, left his estate to his parents and sisters. However, he hadn’t updated his will after […]

Illustration featuring the back of a woman with a dragon tattoo, a manuscript, and a gavel, symbolizing the inheritance disputes and literary legacy of Stieg Larsson's estate.

Stieg Larsson’s Estate: Dying Without a Will

What Happened? When Swedish author Stieg Larsson, creator of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, passed away unexpectedly in 2004, he left no will. Larsson’s estate, valued at millions due […]

Abstract, cubist-inspired illustration with bold geometric shapes, featuring a gavel, scales of justice, and a document, symbolizing inheritance and legal disputes in a fragmented style.

Pablo Picasso’s Estate: The Decade-Long Dispute

What Happened? When Pablo Picasso passed away in 1973, he left behind an estate estimated at $250 million, including artworks, real estate, and other assets. However, Picasso did not leave […]

Prince’s Estate: The Cost of Dying Intestate

What Happened? When music icon Prince passed away unexpectedly in 2016, he left behind a legacy of hits, cultural impact, and an estate worth an estimated $156 million. However, he […]

Howard Hughes’ planes flying while trailing money.

The Infamous Battle Over Howard Hughes’ Estate

What Happened? Howard Hughes, the eccentric billionaire and aviation mogul, passed away in 1976, leaving behind an estate estimated at over $2 billion. Despite his immense wealth, Hughes failed to […]

Aretha Franklin’s Will Found in Sofa

By Susan Teel Are you storing your will under the sofa cushions? Have you considered the best storage location for your will – your most important financial document? Would you […]