According to a recent news story the probate court in Michigan has ordered experts to examine the purported handwritten will of the late Queen of Soul. It supposedly was found under a seat cushion in her house.
The thing about an artist’s estate is that there can be significant income after the artist dies. Think Michael Jackson. Or John Lennon. Or Tom Clancy. Aretha had a large estate and all of this controversy and litigation could easily have been avoided if she had just consulted a lawyer.
My point is that a properly drafted will or a revocable living trust is something that every person with property should have. My firm opinion is that every person who owns real estate in Nebraska should have a revocable living trust rather than a will. With an RLT, there is no need for probate; although the Nebraska inheritance tax form still needs to be filed.
