Estate Planning

The Battle over Boxer Gatti's Estate Continues

By Hull and Hull LLP

Last year, I blogged on the controversy surrounding the estate of the late boxing champion, Arturo Gatti. The Montreal-born boxer and two-time world champion had died July 11, 2009 at a posh Brazilian seaside resort. Controversy surrounded his death, with his young widow initially suspected of killing him. Brazilian officials later ruled Gatti committed suicide by hanging himself with a bag strap.

At issue in this estate fight is the validity of two Wills that distribute the late boxer's estate in very different ways. Gatti's young widow, Amanda Rodrigues, has submitted a 2009 Québec Will that leaves Gatti's entire estate, estimated to be $6 million, to her. An earlier 2007 Will signed in New Jersey leaves the bulk of the estate to Mr. Gatti's mother. 

In November 2009, Gatti's young widow was awarded $40,000.00 to cover legal fees and child care costs for their baby son. In that decision, the judge urged the warring parties to settle to avoid a lengthy and costly court battle that could eat away at the estate. It appears that this advice has gone unheeded, as both sides have continued the fight. 

In a recent decision out of Québec, Ms. Rodrigues was awarded a further $100,000.00 from the estate. She received the money as financial compensation for the legal fees she was forced to pay following the former boxing champion's death. She also received $2,000 a month in child support payments for the couple's 18-month-old son. This is in addition to the $2,500 per month already awarded to her by a New Jersey court. The final bell won't be ringing anytime soon in this estate fight!

Thanks for reading,

Bianca La Neve

Full post as published by Toronto Estate Law Blog on April 07, 2010 (boomark / email).