Taxation & Estate Planning

Mary Ellen Bendtsen Will Contest

By Joel A. Schoenmeyer

This article tells the pretty interesting story of a Will contest. Some of the facts are typical of these types of cases -- a Will signed when the testator may or may not be competent, and charges of undue influence. But there are also some twists (the testator is a former model, the main asset is a crumbling mansion in Dallas). Plus, there are the non-probate-related court actions:

-the men who purportedly exercised undue influence (Mark McCay and Justin Burgess) over Ms. Bendtsen, and their attorney(!), are facing criminal charges for theft (a rarity in these types of cases in Illinois, although I think everyone is becoming more aware of the issue of elder abuse); and

-Messrs. McCay and Burgess have filed a libel lawsuit against Ms. Bendtsen's daughter and The Dallas Morning News.

Professor Beyer has more information on the case here.

Full post as published by Death and Taxes Blog on August 28, 2008 (boomark / email).