Estate Planning

Shakespeare's Will

By Hull and Hull LLP

'The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers'.
Henry The Sixth, Part 2 Act 4, scene 2, 71–78 

Presumably Shakespeare did not feel this way about his own lawyer, Francis Collins, who drew his Last Will and Testament.

Today is the anniversary of the birth and the death of William Shakespeare, revered poet and renown playwright of Stratford-on-Avon, England. (1564-1616)

Though almost 400 years ago, and spelling aside, estate planning considerations were much the same, with family politics playing a great part in the drawing of the Will. Apparently, Shakespeare called on his lawyer to amend his Will, which was signed on March 25, 1616, due to his ill health and the marriage of his youngest daughter, Judith, to a man of less than reputable character. He left most of his estate to his eldest daughter, Susanna, who was fortunate enough to marry a well-respected doctor about town. Shakespeare and his wife, Anne Hathaway, had one more child, a son (Judith's twin), who died at age 11. Anne got the 'second best bed' and some furniture.

While not mentioned in the Will, rumour has it the famous Bard had an illegitimate son, Sir William Davenant, who appeared to have inherited the most valuable asset of all, Shakespeare's talent. Davenant was an extremely successful playwright, theatre manager and poet in his own right.

Click here for the family history of Shakespeare's children and Sir William Davenant. 

If all this talk about Shakespeare and lawyers has put you in the mood for some entertainment, check out 'The Lawyers' Show' rendition of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream performed by 28 lawyers on June 11 & 12, 2010 at the Berkeley Street Theatre (a Nightwood Theatre production). 

And that concludes my blogging for the week. 'Parting is such sweet sorrow'. Have a great weekend!

Sharon Davis

Full post as published by Toronto Estate Law Blog on April 23, 2010 (boomark / email).