Wills are contested for several reasons, and celebrity wills are no different. In fact, the value of a famous person’s estate is often considerably large, so there are often discrepancies about distribution. Contesting a will often delays the probate process significantly and can cause extra stress for the deceased’s loved one at an already emotional time. This blog looks at some celebrity wills that have been disputed.
Amy Winehouse
Amy Winehouse tragically passed away in 2011, aged just 27. She did not have a valid will in place, meaning her estate was under the Rules of Intestacy. Amy had recently divorced and did not have any children, which meant her assets were to be split between her mother and father. This caused controversy within Amy’s friendship group and her fanbase, as it was well-documented that Amy’s relationship with her parents was strained. Amy’s ex-husband, Blake Fielder-Civil, attempted to make a claim of £1 million from her estate which was unsuccessful. The assets were split between her parents.
Bob Marley
Bob Marley died in 1981 at the young age of 36. He also did not have a valid will in place. Under Jamaican law, his $30 million estate should have gone to his wife and children. Several people attempted to make a claim on the estate, which saw his wife endure a ten year legal battle which cost millions in fees.
John Lennon
When John Lennon tragically died in 1980, he left behind an estate worth more than £220 million. The famous Beatle’s member had a valid will which named his wife, Yoko Ono, and their son as beneficiaries. But John’s son from his first marriage was not mentioned in the will, and he challenged this, leading to a legal battle lasting 16 years and resulting in him receiving an out-of-court settlement of around £20 million.
George Michael
George Michael died at the end of 2016. The singer’s estate was reportedly worth £97 million, and he did have a valid will which named his beneficiaries as his father, sister and close friends. However, George’s ex-partner, Kenny Goss, claimed he was financially dependent on George and requested a monthly payment of £15,000 under the Provisions for Family and Dependents Act 1975. A settlement of an undisclosed amount was made.
Other examples of famous wills that were contested include:
- Robin Williams
- Prince
- James Brown
- Nelson Mandela
- Pablo Picasso
For professional probate advice, contact Probate a Will on 0203 9859554.
