California residents may have read recent media reports about an ongoing inheritance dispute involving Alan Thicke’s heirs. Celebrity gossip outlets reported in September 2017 that the late actor’s two sons, who are co-trustees of the estate, had filed a court petition to prevent his widow from challenging the provisions of the couple’s prenuptial agreement, and articles published on May 9 suggest that the dispute is far from settled. According to the reports, Thicke’s widow is claiming that her late husband’s sons are spending money recklessly and have refused to disburse assets that are legally hers.
A judge referred to the September petition as misplaced and dismissed it after finding no evidence suggesting that Thicke’s widow planned to take legal action. The late actor’s sons are now accused of refusing to reimburse his widow for the money she spent erecting a graveside memorial despite being happy to pay more than $100,000 for a party to honor the beloved ‘Growing Pains” star. Thicke died in December 2016 after suffering a ruptured aorta while playing ice hockey with one of his sons.
Thicke’s widow says that his sons are using the media to embarrass and humiliate her, and her attorney has vowed to file a lawsuit unless the harassment ends. The woman was Thicke’s third wife and married the actor in 2005. The couple met in Miami in 1999. According to media accounts, she is promised 25 percent of the late actor’s personal effects and 40 percent of his remaining estate under the provisions of the prenuptial agreement.
inheritance disputes are not uncommon when substantial assets and blended families are involved. Orange County Inheritance Disputes Lawyers with estate planning experience may recommend that testators consider these risks and choose their trustees carefully, and they could also suggest that trusts be worded carefully to avoid ambiguity and ensure that all heirs are treated fairly.
Source: Fox News, Alan Thicke’s widow claims late actor’s sons are spending trust, keeping her from inheritance, Morgan M. Evans, May 9, 2018