Thursday, September 29, 2022

‘I’ve always wanted to be a tree’: Human composting starts to catch on

California Governor, Gavin Newsom, signed a bill into law that requires state regulators to create a program for “natural organic reduction” by 2027, making California the fifth state to pass such legislation.
Individuals may now choose controlled decomposition by a funeral service provider, which allows them to be laid to rest in steel vessels surrounded by wood chips for the purpose of becoming compost. The process takes about two months and creates 1-2 cubic yards of compost to be used in gardens and…
Continue Reading ‘I’ve always wanted to be a tree’: Human composting starts to catch on

Wednesday, September 28, 2022

Masterworks by Cezanne, Van Gogh, and Gauguin Are Among the Treasures From Paul Allen’s $1 Billion Art Collection

Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen left behind a $1 billion art collection when he passed. Several pieces from his collection are headed to auction at Christie’s New York, which will take place on November 9-10, 2022.
At least three of the works are French Post-Impressionist paintings, worth an estimated value of $100 million+ each. Amongst these are Paul Cezanne’s La montagne Sainte-Victoire and Vincent Van Gogh’s Verger avec cyprès and George Seuart’s Les Poseuses, Ensemble (Petite version).
The Paul G.
Continue Reading Masterworks by Cezanne, Van Gogh, and Gauguin Are Among the Treasures From Paul Allen’s $1 Billion Art Collection

Tuesday, September 27, 2022

Millennials Want to Retire at 50. How to Afford It Is Another Matter.

The new “American Dream” for many millennials is walking away from their careers and into retirement at age 50, much earlier than their parents. This is indicative of a generational shift, where millennials prioritize careers that are in alignment with their personal interests over higher financial gain.
Many attribute this desire to watching older generations put their lives on hold to save, only to retire and become ill or have their spouse die.
Financial consultants warn that this goal is not achievable for…
Continue Reading Millennials Want to Retire at 50. How to Afford It Is Another Matter.

Monday, September 26, 2022

Celebrity Estate Planning: Misfires of the Rich and Famous

Celebrities are not immune to the pitfalls of having outdated or nonexistent estate plans, and even if careful estate planning has taken place, changes in family circumstances or tax laws can have negative impacts. 
This article takes a look at some famous mistakes made by famous people, including over simplistic wills (Jim Morrison), after-born children (Philip Seymore Hoffman), domicile (Heath Ledger), second families and decanting (David Bowie), and oral promises (Anna Nicole Smith.)
Ultimately, what all of these mistakes have in common is that they are preventable.
Continue Reading Celebrity Estate Planning: Misfires of the Rich and Famous

Saturday, September 24, 2022

The Queen’s clothes and jewels: Who inherits her enormous collection?

While many have been talking about Queen Elizabeth’s $447 million fortune and how it will be divided amongst members of the Royal family, many are curious what will happen to her large collection of clothing and jewelry. Royal experts believe her wardrobe will be split primarily between Kate Middleton and Queen Consort Camilla, with Middleton having first choice.
The late Queen had a famously colorful sense of style and many of her most memorable outfits will be taken by a royal trust for future display in museums. It…
Continue Reading The Queen’s clothes and jewels: Who inherits her enormous collection?

Friday, September 23, 2022

Article: Inheritance in an Unequal Age

Jack Whiteley (Georgetown University Law Center) recently published an article entitled, Inheritance in an Unequal Age, Northwestern University Law Review (Forthcoming 2023). Provided below is the abstract to the paper:
For centuries, the common law limited aristocratic wealth. In the last three decades, that has changed. One by one, state legislatures have eliminated the Rule against Perpetuities, and now dynasty trusts can make carefully controlled payments to a trust settlor’s descendants for hundreds of years. This change occurred soon before a large and ongoing intergenerational wealth transfer in the…
Continue Reading Article: Inheritance in an Unequal Age

Wednesday, September 21, 2022

Anne Heche estate battle begins as ex James Tupper claims he was left in charge, not her ‘estranged’ 20-year-old son

The dispute over Anne Heche’s estate has begun to heat up over who should be in charge after the actress died intestate. Her eldest son, Homer, requested to serve as special administrator last month, however, now her ex is contesting Homer’s appointment.
James Tupper, the father of Heche’s youngest son, claims he has a “will” from January 2011 that was given to him “in case [Anne] dies tomorrow.” Additionally, he has expressed numerous reasons why…
Continue Reading Anne Heche estate battle begins as ex James Tupper claims he was left in charge, not her ‘estranged’ 20-year-old son

Tuesday, September 20, 2022

Dead woman talks to mourners at her own FUNERAL: New AI-powered ‘holographic’ video experience allows grieving loved ones to engage in two-way conversation with deceased grandmother

Marina Smith passed away in June, but thanks to technology now available in the UK, she was able to talk to those in attendance at her funeral through AI-powered ‘holographic’ video technology. Mrs. Smith gave a brief speech about her life and responded to questions from family members at the ceremony. 

The technology was created by her son, Stephen Smith, co-founder and CEO of Storyfile, a Los Angeles-based AI company.
Continue Reading Dead woman talks to mourners at her own FUNERAL: New AI-powered ‘holographic’ video experience allows grieving loved ones to engage in two-way conversation with deceased grandmother

Monday, September 19, 2022

The Battle Over the Women’s Center at D.C.’s Sibley Hospital

What do nonprofit institutions owe donors who have given money for a specific project? That is the key question at the core of the battle over the Women’s Center at Sibley Memorial Hospital.
The Johns Hopkins Women’s Health Center was supposed to break ground in the summer of 2018, largely due to the fundraising efforts of many women in the Washington D.C. area who were excited to support a Sibley-based center that would serve their entire community. However, four years later, the center has still not…
Continue Reading The Battle Over the Women’s Center at D.C.’s Sibley Hospital

Saturday, September 17, 2022

Article: Sticky Omitted Choice-of-Law Clauses: The Case of Heir Hunters

David Horton (Martin Luther King Jr. Professor of Law at UC Davis School of Law) recently published an article entitled, Sticky Omitted Choice-of-Law Clauses: The Case of Heir Hunters. Provided below is an abstract of the Article:
Commentators once thought that contracts were the product of natural selection. Supposedly, over time, drafters learned to keep useful clauses and delete the others. More recently, though, scholars have challenged this assumption by demonstrating that contractual provisions and gaps can be resistant to change, or “sticky.”…
Continue Reading Article: Sticky Omitted Choice-of-Law Clauses: The Case of Heir Hunters

Friday, September 16, 2022

Texas homicide investigation underway after possible casket discovered buried under property near Houston

A Texas woman, who is being referred to as Mrs. Soza, purchased a plot of line adjacent to a cemetery in Crosby, TX last year. On a visit to the property she discovered a “fresh mound of dirt,” and on a subsequent visit she found lanterns and fresh flowers.
She confirmed that this piece of land was her property and confirmed with the cemetery that it was not a misplaced grave. Mrs. Soza left a note in the area requesting that whoever left…
Continue Reading Texas homicide investigation underway after possible casket discovered buried under property near Houston