Carmen Thomas, a 26-year-old woman from Lexington, Massachusetts, filed a lawsuit against her half-sisters and their mother, alleging she was excluded from a wrongful death settlement involving their father. Thomas discovered her father’s identity through a DNA test with 23andMe,…
Gerry W. Beyer
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Ante-Mortem Podcast Released by ACTEC
Prof. Gerry W. Beyer’s podcast entitled A Discussion of Ante-Mortem Probate, a process of validating the will of a living person available in some states, was released as the March 19, 2024 issue of the American College of Trust and…
I became a millionaire at age 27—here are 4 ‘unpopular’ rules rich people follow that most don’t
Vivian Tu recounts how her upbringing in a frugal household contrasted with the mindset of the ultra-wealthy she encountered on the job on Wall Street. She learned key principles that led to financial success, including prioritizing assets over liabilities, adopting…
Philip Marlowe perfume, anyone? Raymond Chandler’s estate revives its hero, for better or worse
The Philip Marlowe character, created by Raymond Chandler, has evolved through modern adaptations and continuations commissioned by the Chandler Estate. Joe Ide was aked by the estate to write an original novel featuring Marlowe in the present day, resulting in…
A New Book Fills In the Human Stories Behind Unmarked Graves
“The Unclaimed: Abandonment and Hope in the City of Angels” by Pamela Prickett and Stefan Timmermans explores the bureaucracy and mechanics surrounding unclaimed deceased individuals, particularly in Los Angeles. The authors delve into the lives of four specific individuals who…
My Wife Plans to End Her Life. Should I Tell My Very Religious Father?
In this week’s The Ethicist, an anonymous writer is grappling with the imminent assisted suicide of their wife due to her severe multiple sclerosis. They have begun the challenging process of informing friends and family about the decision, which has…
Brian Wilson’s Family Seeks Conservatorship for Beach Boys Legend Following Death of His Wife
The family of Brian Wilson, co-founder of The Beach Boys, has filed for a conservatorship due to his major neurocognitive disorder, possibly dementia, following the death of his wife, Melinda. The filing aims to ensure Wilson’s well-being and home care…
Heirs Awarded Nazi-Looted Art Are Still Waiting, 17 Years Later
In 2007, a Dutch panel ruled to return a 17th-century painting, “Unloading the Hay Wagon,” to a Jewish family that was looted during World War II. However, administrative errors and missing documents have delayed the restitution process. The painting, once…
Is a Will Better than Intestacy?
Professor Emerita Kris Knaplund of the Pepperdine Caruso School of Law recently published her article entitled Is a Will Better than Intestacy?, 92 U. Cin. L. Rev. 631 (2024). “The article asks and answers 5 questions: Are deathbed wills rare,…
Article: Posthumous Rights of Deceased Individuals in Legal Perspective
Institute of Legal Research and Policy recently published, Posthumous Rights of Deceased Individuals in Legal Perspective, 2024. Provided below is an Abstract: In life, individuals have rights and responsibilities from birth to death. After death, they lose legal personhood and…