Jim Morrison, the lead signer of the popular rock band The Doors, died in 1971, at age 27. Before his death, he had signed a simple, one-page will that left everything to his girlfriend, Pamela Courson (or if she died before he did, to his brother and sister). As a result of the Will, Pamela inherited his entire estate. Pamela herself died shortly afterward of a heroin overdose. Because Pamela did not have a will, most of Morrison’s fortune then went by law to Pamela’s closest living relatives – her parents.
It is probably safe to assume that Morrison did not anticipate this either, and it probably was not exactly what he had in mind. Morrison could easily have avoided this fate by setting up a trust that would have cared for Pamela, but that would have directed his fortune to his own family if something happened to her, and also put someone he knew and trusted in charge of his artistic legacy.
The truth is, most seniors sign simple or “form” wills, sometimes out of a book, or from the Internet, and they make similar and tragic mistakes.
For instance, Alan signed a “form” will leaving his estate to his second wife. She inherited his estate, and when she died, the assets went to her blood relatives. Alan’s own children from his first marriage received nothing.
This is why it is essential to talk to an attorney about your wishes. A good estate plan considers all the “what-ifs” and will make sure you accomplish your objectives, even if something you did not anticipate happens along the way.
Ms. MacDonald̓s practice is limited to Estate Planning, Probate, Conservatorships, Elder Law & Trust Administration. Ms. MacDonald maintains her practice in the Santa Clarita Valley at 25115 Avenue Stanford, Suite B-124, Valencia, California. She can be reached at 661-294-6464. http://yelllowpieplate.umn.edu/indexB.html.