Taxation & Estate Planning

Buckley Probate Mess

By Joel A. Schoenmeyer

This is a sort of slimy story about William F. Buckley, his son Christopher (the author, about whom I've previously blogged), and Christopher's son Jonathan. Evidently Christopher cheated on his wife with a woman named Irina Woelfle, and she got pregnant. Christopher hasn't had much, if anything, to do with the son since his birth, although he does pay child support. Now Christopher's wealthy father has died, leaving language in his Will that explicitly disinherits Jonathan.

Is that fair? The article seems to think it isn't, although I would disagree. There seems to be a blurring of the lines between William's duty to a grandchild he may never see, and Christopher's duty to his son. We can believe that Christopher owes the child more (emotionally and financially) than $3,000 per month, but I don't have a problem with the disinheritance language in William's Will. Although it does sound a bit cold, especially if you read it in William's ridiculously affected voice. Maybe I should do an MP3 of my imitation?

Full post as published by Death and Taxes Blog on October 03, 2008 (boomark / email).