Country music fans in Florida remember the hits of singer and songwriter Glen Campbell fondly. His passing in 2017, however, resulted in three of his children contesting the validity of his will that excluded them from any inheritance. The children have now chosen to dismiss their bid for a portion of their father’s estate. Their legal filings did not explain their reason for dropping the matter.
Campbell’s other five children and his wife, who was married to him for the last 34 years of his life, were the beneficiaries of his will that was completed in 2006. The three excluded children were born during Campbell’s previous marriages. When they contested his will, they claimed that their father had lacked the mental capacity to create a valid will. Alzheimer’s disease eventually led to his death.
Unofficial estimates had valued the country music star’s estate in the millions of dollars. Documentation in probate court, however, only calculated the value at $420,221, but this figure excluded future music royalties. His wife said that she was pleased to see the dispute end. The resolution of the conflict did not include a settlement for the excluded children. She plans to focus on maintaining Campbell’s musical legacy.
When a family loses a loved one, a surviving family member might have questions about how to proceed with estate distributions. An attorney could provide guidance and prepare paperwork as a will progresses through a probate court review. Legal support could help someone comply with court requests for information and the administration of a will. If issues arise that question the terms of a will, an attorney could recommend strategies for dealing with a dispute.
Source: Tennessean, “Three of Glen Campbell’s adult children end effort to contest will that excludes them“, Anita Wadhwani, 11/21/2018