Estate Planning

Newsman Cronkite's Will Revealed

By Hull & Hull LLP

Walter Cronkite's last will and testament has been revealed – and he left his girlfriend out in the cold. 

Cronkite, the legendary newsman perhaps best known for anchoring the CBS Evening News for almost 20 years, dated Joanna Simon, sister to singer Carly Simon, for the four years prior to his death.  However, it appears that he did not provide for her in his will. 

Instead, he divided his estate amongst his children and some former colleagues from CBS.  His alma mater, the University of Texas, is to receive certain personal effects relating to his broadcast career (incidentally, U of T has a nice video tribute to him on its website). 

Cronkite's reason for not leaving his girlfriend anything was apparently because he had provided for her well in his lifetime.  In addition, a motivating factor appeared to be that he did not want to share his estate with his girlfriend out of respect for his deceased wife. 

No word on whether Cronkite's girlfriend intends to advance any claims against his estate.  His  will was filed with the surrogate court in Manhattan and any claim she had would be governed by the relevant law in that jurisdiction. 

Had Cronkite died resident in Ontario, his girlfriend could potentially have sought dependant support under the Succession Law Reform Act.  Part V of the SLRA provides that if a deceased does not in his will provide sufficient support for a dependant (which includes a common law spouse) who is in need of and entitled to support then that dependant is entitled to dependant's relief. 

Have a great day,

Megan F. Connolly  

Full post as published by Toronto Estate Law Blog on August 25, 2009 (boomark / email).