Estate Planning

Elizabeth Edwards' Will

By Hull and Hull LLP

Elizabeth Edwards sadly passed away last month at the age of 61 after her battle with breast cancer.

It has been reported that she made a new will shortly before her death.  Apparently,  the new Will dated December 1, 2010 divides her assets among her three living children and appoints her eldest, Catherine, as executor.   

The Will also apparently names Catharine as guardian for her younger brother and sister. Whether Catherine will ultimately take on this role is an open question. In Ontario, a guardianship appointment by Will expires after 90 days from date of death, unless the named guardian applies within that time-frame to the Court to be appointed.

Notably missing from the Will (although perhaps not surprisingly) is estranged husband John Edwards, a U.S. vice presidential and presidential candidate. The couple separated in early 2010, after John finally admitted to fathering a child during an affair. Edwards' memoir, Resilience, recounts her humiliation over John's affair.

Elizabeth Edwards was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004, in the midst of the election campaign of that year. The cancer returned in March 2007, during John Edwards' run for a presidential nomination. Her first memoir, Saving Graces, was about how friends and strangers helped her through her life, including her struggle with cancer treatment and the death of a son.

Elizabeth Edwards was touchingly buried beside her son, Wade, who died at age 16 in a car accident.

Thanks for reading,

Natalia R. Angelini - Click here for more information on Natalia Angelini.

Full post as published by Toronto Estate Law Blog on January 10, 2011 (boomark / email).