When Tom Petty died at the age of 66 from an accidental overdose, he had been considered a “success story” in the realm of celebrity estate planning as he had a full estate plan in place at his death.
For example, he apparently had a trust that disposed of his artistic property upon his passing through instructions to the successor trustee (his wife from a second marriage) to form a California limited liability company (“LLC”) to hold and deal with such property. As he had children from a first marriage, his trust apparently further provided that they should “participate equally” in the management of such LLC.
While such provisions seem to be well-meaning, they have apparently been the source of disagreement between Petty’s wife and children and have unsurprisingly resulted in recent litigation. From an estate planning perspective, they also call into question the extent to which family dynamics may have been taken into account in the planning process, especially when it is reported that Petty’s wife and children may have had a strained relationship during his life.
What can be done to avoid a family dynamics issue?
Regardless of a person’s celebrity, it is important that his or her estate plan take into account family dynamics as they may be when he or she is alive and in good health, as well as upon his or her death or in the event of a serious, long-term illness.
In particular, attention should be paid to family dynamics in the case of “blended” families where there is frequently tension between the spouse from a subsequent marriage and children of a first marriage. However, equal attention should be paid to all other types of family situations, such as adult children of the same marriage, as there is frequently tension in these situations too.
It is important to have an honest and open discussion with your estate planning attorney about how family members have traditionally gotten along and how you think they would get along when you are no longer there. It may be helpful also to discuss how family members have handled stress or grief, about how they have traditionally handled finances and whether you think that they are actually up for handling additional responsibilities, such as taking care of you or managing your finances. You should also think about whether it would be better for a few family members to work together or one family member to be in charge.
Finally, you should inform your estate planning attorney of any significant relationship or marital issues between family members, of any mental illness or of any substance abuse issues, so that your estate planning attorney may tailor his or her recommendations to achieve your estate planning goals and hopefully provide your loved ones with a more harmonious structure upon your incapacity or passing.
For example, he apparently had a trust that disposed of his artistic property upon his passing through instructions to the successor trustee (his wife from a second marriage) to form a California limited liability company (“LLC”) to hold and deal with such property. As he had children from a first marriage, his trust apparently further provided that they should “participate equally” in the management of such LLC.
While such provisions seem to be well-meaning, they have apparently been the source of disagreement between Petty’s wife and children and have unsurprisingly resulted in recent litigation. From an estate planning perspective, they also call into question the extent to which family dynamics may have been taken into account in the planning process, especially when it is reported that Petty’s wife and children may have had a strained relationship during his life.
What can be done to avoid a family dynamics issue?
Regardless of a person’s celebrity, it is important that his or her estate plan take into account family dynamics as they may be when he or she is alive and in good health, as well as upon his or her death or in the event of a serious, long-term illness.
In particular, attention should be paid to family dynamics in the case of “blended” families where there is frequently tension between the spouse from a subsequent marriage and children of a first marriage. However, equal attention should be paid to all other types of family situations, such as adult children of the same marriage, as there is frequently tension in these situations too.
It is important to have an honest and open discussion with your estate planning attorney about how family members have traditionally gotten along and how you think they would get along when you are no longer there. It may be helpful also to discuss how family members have handled stress or grief, about how they have traditionally handled finances and whether you think that they are actually up for handling additional responsibilities, such as taking care of you or managing your finances. You should also think about whether it would be better for a few family members to work together or one family member to be in charge.
Finally, you should inform your estate planning attorney of any significant relationship or marital issues between family members, of any mental illness or of any substance abuse issues, so that your estate planning attorney may tailor his or her recommendations to achieve your estate planning goals and hopefully provide your loved ones with a more harmonious structure upon your incapacity or passing.