Whitney Houston's will

[Guest]

I read in the Huffington Post, with some surprise, that Whitney Houston left 100% of her estate to her only child. Some people commented that she died in debt, in which case I suppose the whole issue is rather moot--but I'm not at all sure that it's true she died in debt. If her estate were at least in the mid 7-figures, this will really tarnishes my image of her. Did she really have no true friends in her life or honest relatives who stood by her and helped her in her life and career? Could she not think of any charities worthy of some portion of her estate? Nothing for which to leave a positive legacy in her life?

While my domestic partner of 10 years, who's stood by me in sickness and in health, will certainly benefit from the lion's share of my low 7-figure estate, I can't imagine blowing off close friends, relatives, and charities. Although I'm childless, I will leave something to siblings and nephews/nieces, as well as to friends who've stood by me through thick and thin. I'm also leaving a few hundred thousands to a scholarship program for gay students going to my alma matter, as well as unstipulated gifts to charities for causes I've supported throughout my life, such as world hunger, poverty, disaster relief, environmental causes, and gay rights.

As I read that story, all sorts of thoughts went through my mind. Did no one matter to her other than her daughter? Did she have no true friends--people who she thought befriended her for reasons other than some ulterior motive? Did she feel the same way about all of her relatives? Did she ever donate to charities while she was alive? If she did, was it then just a Public Relations show, rather than a belief that these charities were deserving? What are your thoughts on this?

[KMEM]

I have not followed MS. Houston's career but it seems very likely that her death was either as a result of drugs or her life was certainly not helped by drugs. Therefore it is easy for me to conclude that she was not necessarily thinking clearly for some years. She was young. Perhaps she thought she had plenty of time to support charities or family members. Or, perhaps she thought her only child would carry whatever "torch" needed to be carried.

 

Elvis died young and left a modest estate, BUT he donated huge amounts of money to charity, friends and family during his life time. That may partly be because he was from a different era and had a different family background. However, his estate did own much of his music, etc. and a shrewd overseer turned it into a much larger fortune. That also seems likely for the estate of MS. Houston, IF she owned her music.

 

Best regards,

KMEM

[adriano46]

According to the rumors and some articles surrounding Ms Houston at the time of her death, she had in a way "mortgaged" for years in advance her royalties and so it is quesytionable how much - if anything - she had left in the "estate" once those who advanced her the loans get paid back.

 

I too am surprised she had a single heir and left nothing for any of her family (her mother, her aunts, her friends, even the heavily rumored GF she had)... very sad, and very strange, and yet people celebrated her death as if she was some great heroine. I felt sad at her passing, loved her voice, but would never have celebrated her death with all the hype that accompanied, and to be frank, I am getting sooo tired of people who never knew someone crying crocodile tears whenever a celebrity dies.

[josephga]

I think I read she wrote the will around 98. If I had allot of money and a child I most likely would leave my child everything

[maxwellissmart]

According to the rumors and some articles surrounding Ms Houston at the time of her death, she had in a way "mortgaged" for years in advance her royalties and so it is quesytionable how much - if anything - she had left in the "estate" once those who advanced her the loans get paid back.

 

I too am surprised she had a single heir and left nothing for any of her family (her mother, her aunts, her friends, even the heavily rumored GF she had)... very sad, and very strange, and yet people celebrated her death as if she was some great heroine. I felt sad at her passing, loved her voice, but would never have celebrated her death with all the hype that accompanied, and to be frank, I am getting sooo tired of people who never knew someone crying crocodile tears whenever a celebrity dies.

 

As long as the estate is managed properly, they'll make a lot of money off record sales and licensing. Granted, she's not the trendsetter or music pioneer or heartthrob that Elvis was. I would imagine the Great Search for Demos and Unreleased Material is on as we speak.

[+ sam.fitzpatrick]

Makes me think that I need to get a will. Since I have no children, things could get messy without one.

[Guest Kyle_K]

I have not followed MS. Houston's career but it seems very likely that her death was either as a result of drugs or her life was certainly not helped by drugs. Therefore it is easy for me to conclude that she was not necessarily thinking clearly for some years.

 

These are the type of ignorant and arrogant assumptions which drive all sorts of unwanted and unnecessary hate and ignorance deeper into all aspects of the fabrics of our lives and society. And for which we all have to deal with in one way or another because of it, whether we like it or not. To state publicly that you have not followed Ms. Houston's career, and seemingly, by statement, know nothing about it, qualifies you as more of society's problem, than the answer to it.

 

I simply cannot believe that anyone today could be so ill-adjusted toward our society as to suggest that knowing less about someone is knowing more about them in the end.

 

My first post here was going to be about Jessie Santana, which I still will do in another forum. This expression, by KMEM, however, made me knee-jerk react first.

 

And I'm glad that I did.

 

Sort of.

[EZEtoGRU]

Difficult to pass judgement on this without all the facts. We don't know how much she gave to charity or family members along the way before her death. She did seem to have a close relationship with he mother and some other family members. They may well have financially benefited from her whist she was alive.

 

The other key unknown is what her net worth was at the time of her death and what is the earning power of her estate. Until we know who owns the rights to her body of work, we just don't know. Her daughter could stand to inherit millions and the potential for tens of millions more....or she may inherit nothing if Whitney was broke and in debt.

[Guest Kyle_K]

Difficult to pass judgement on this without all the facts.

 

So true. some people here have passed judgement when they have no knowledge of her life and have publicly claimed no interest in it to begin with.

 

That's, what is sad.

[+ Lucky]

I read in the Huffington Post, with some surprise, that Whitney Houston left 100% of her estate to her only child. Some people commented that she died in debt, in which case I suppose the whole issue is rather moot--but I'm not at all sure that it's true she died in debt. If her estate were at least in the mid 7-figures, this will really tarnishes my image of her. Did she really have no true friends in her life or honest relatives who stood by her and helped her in her life and career? Could she not think of any charities worthy of some portion of her estate? Nothing for which to leave a positive legacy in her life?

While my domestic partner of 10 years, who's stood by me in sickness and in health, will certainly benefit from the lion's share of my low 7-figure estate, I can't imagine blowing off close friends, relatives, and charities. Although I'm childless, I will leave something to siblings and nephews/nieces, as well as to friends who've stood by me through thick and thin. I'm also leaving a few hundred thousands to a scholarship program for gay students going to my alma matter, as well as unstipulated gifts to charities for causes I've supported throughout my life, such as world hunger, poverty, disaster relief, environmental causes, and gay rights.

As I read that story, all sorts of thoughts went through my mind. Did no one matter to her other than her daughter? Did she have no true friends--people who she thought befriended her for reasons other than some ulterior motive? Did she feel the same way about all of her relatives? Did she ever donate to charities while she was alive? If she did, was it then just a Public Relations show, rather than a belief that these charities were deserving? What are your thoughts on this?

 

I can provide you the necessary information for leaving me a bequest, and assure you that it will be greatly appreciated.

[Kevin Slater]

Makes me think that I need to get a will. Since I have no children, things could get messy without one.

 

Everybody should have a will, a healthcare proxy, a durable power of attorney and probably a directive to physicians.

 

Kevin Slater

[+ Travis69]

Perhaps she kept the will simple so it would be harder to contest by people such as her ex husband. What I think is weird is that they buried her with $500,000 worth of jewelry. That's just asking for trouble as far as grave robbers.

[Guest]

Perhaps she kept the will simple so it would be harder to contest by people such as her ex husband. What I think is weird is that they buried her with $500,000 worth of jewelry. That's just asking for trouble as far as grave robbers.

 

With all of the starving children on this planet, that's simply sickening, if true. I hope that's not true, because if it is, I think I'm going to want to throw up. I don't care what other positive qualities a person may have. Any person who directs that he be buried with half a million dollars worth of jewelry is an asshole. There's no other way to couch it, and there are no ifs, ands, or buts. If you insist on being buried with $500,000, you are an asshole, end of discussion. Any references to this rumor? Boy, would I love to hear that this is nothing more than a vile, slanderous rumor.

I'm not a religious man but anyone who believes the saying attributed to Jesus: "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God," has to believe that there's a special place in Hell for anyone insisting on being interred with the means of saving so many lives...

[Lookin]

Any person who directs that he be buried with half a million dollars worth of jewelry is an asshole.

http://www.peregrinesalon.com/wp-content/gallery/rezzable/rezzable-king-tut-3.jpg

Chastened by Unicorn's post,

King Tut worries he may have overdone it. http://www.animated-smileys.com/smileys/egypt/animated-smileys-egypt-01.gif

[Samai139]

Three things, in no particular order of importance:

1. Everyone, repeat everyone, should have a will(recently updated), a health proxy and a power of attorney.

2. According to family members Ms Houston was NOT buried with diamond earrings, etc. etc.

3. What an individual does with his/her belongings, money, estate, in a legally drawn will, is none of our business.

[+ Shoreboy]

I agree 100% with Sam and also remember that there is an innocent child now motherless

[Guest]

Chastened by Unicorn's post,

King Tut worries he may have overdone it. http://www.animated-smileys.com/smileys/egypt/animated-smileys-egypt-01.gif[/center]

 

Yes, the pharaohs were responsible for the death, enslavement, and suffering of millions. So I would agree that what they did with a good amount of their wealth after death is, in fact, a good indication of their characters.

[Guest]

Three things, in no particular order of importance:

1. Everyone, repeat everyone, should have a will(recently updated), a health proxy and a power of attorney.

2. According to family members Ms Houston was NOT buried with diamond earrings, etc. etc.

3. What an individual does with his/her belongings, money, estate, in a legally drawn will, is none of our business.

 

I'm very glad to hear that it appears the fact that she was buried with half a million in jewelry was a vile rumor. The third sentence is true in the sense that people have great latitude to dispose of their belongings as they wish. According to LegalZoom, however, after a person's death, their will becomes a public document, so it is everyone's business:

 

"Although wills are often intensely personal by design, they become public record at some point after the testator -- the person the will belongs to -- dies. Before that time, they are not legal documents and are the private property of the testator. With a few exceptions, wills are usually required to be filed with the court for the probate process. Once the court has possession, wills begin channeling through the probate process, are eventually filed and become available for public access."

 

I did read one rumor that it's illegal to be buried with jewelry, in order to discourage grave robbers. I wasn't able to confirm that when I did an internet search, though, so I suspect that it probably is legal to be buried with one's jewelry. While it appears to be any testator's prerogative to direct that he be interred with his jewelry, it's also very most definitely my prerogative to express my extremely strongly-held opinion that anyone who would do so is an asshole. A big, gaping one with lots of santorum, in fact.

[Lookin]

As I read that story, all sorts of thoughts went through my mind. Did no one matter to her other than her daughter? Did she have no true friends--people who she thought befriended her for reasons other than some ulterior motive? Did she feel the same way about all of her relatives? Did she ever donate to charities while she was alive? If she did, was it then just a Public Relations show, rather than a belief that these charities were deserving? What are your thoughts on this?

Well, my first thought was one of relief that I'm not rich enough or famous enough for folks I don't know to gather around the internet and share their thoughts about my Last Will and Testament, such as it may be.

 

My second thought was one of amusement at the way we congregate and chew over the personal business of perfect strangers.

 

Other thoughts are that it would be really hard to have an informed opinion, as there is much we don't know; and it may be, as EZEtoGRU says, that she tried to help others and return favors while she was alive, and didn't count on her will to do it for her.

 

A final thought, and the most interesting to me anyway, is why we feel the desire to kibbitz about what other folks should do, even if we don't know them. I think it must be hardwired into us, probably in our genes I bet. But why? What do we get out of it? There must be something, or we wouldn't keep doing it.

 

Once we've resolved Whitney's estate issues, I'd love to hear what folks think about why we wanted to bother in the first place. What's the payoff?

 

 

http://blog.craftzine.com/sewing_circle_abilene.jpg

[Bosguy]

I just want to state what others have said. A will is a personal/legal matter that is decided upon as THE PERSON WISHES!! It is not a popularity contest and, I believe, meant to leave a part of yourself to those people or institutions who have had a meaningfull relationship to you--not to those who THNK they deserve a "piece of the action"

 

Whatever she did or what we may each do is a decision WE make for our personal reasons and NOBODY else's business.

 

Boston Bill

[Luv2play]

3. What an individual does with his/her belongings, money, estate, in a legally drawn will, is none of our business.

 

Actually this is not correct. If wills are probated then they become public property. Many people may have an interest in someone's will. Creditors, for one. Relatives who may have a claim on the estate for another.

 

The one will I remember in its entirety is one that was fought in the courts in Canada. It was the will of a farmer who had died when his tractor turned over on him in the fields. He took some time to die and realizing he was intestate, he wrote in his own blood on the tractor "all to wife". It was upheld in the Supreme Court of Canada as a valid will.

[Guest]

 

A final thought, and the most interesting to me anyway, is why we feel the desire to kibbitz about what other folks should do, even if we don't know them. I think it must be hardwired into us, probably in our genes I bet. But why? What do we get out of it? There must be something, or we wouldn't keep doing it.

 

Once we've resolved Whitney's estate issues, I'd love to hear what folks think about why we wanted to bother in the first place. What's the payoff?

 

 

I'm glad you asked. Since you asked, I'm going to tell you! First of all, since it appears that the rumor of Whitney Houston being buried with $500,000 is false, let's be clear that we are no longer talking about the late Ms. Houston. What celebrities and public personae do often sets examples for the behavior--not only for other famous people, but also for the general public. The fact that an action or behavior is legal does not make it right from an ethical perspective. To take a most recent example, Rush Limbaugh was perfectly within his legal rights to express his opinion that the law student was a slut and a ho. But I think it serves the public good that he be called out on this behavior, and that advertisers withdraw their financial support. So the "payoff," or "reason to bother in the first place," since you ask, is to discourage similar behavior from public figures in the future. There are many other examples one could think of in which we have "congregated and chewed" over the legal but reprehensible behavior of public figures. Another recent example was Tracy Morgan's rant in which he joked that he'd kill his son if he found out his son were gay. All quite legal, but such behavior does promote hatred and violence against gay people.

Another example which always sticks in my mind for some reason was when Prince Harry showed up to a costume party in a Nazi SS uniform. It can also serve the public good to "congregate and chew" over a public figure's behavior even after their death. For example, I feel it is a very positive thing that death certificates are public documents. The death of Heath Ledger and other public figures, for example, brought to the public a discussion of the dangers of substance abuse, and has certainly saved lives. It certainly makes my job as a physician easier when trying to explain the dangers to my patients of "doctor shopping," and drug diversion.

How would we react if a wealthy celebrity or other public figure hired a private corporate jet to land at a Darfur refugee camp and proclaimed "I flew out here just to tell you I don't give a rat's tush about any of you!"? It would all be perfectly legal and within that person's "rights." After all, it's their money to do with as they wish. I would hope we would all express outrage, and that this person would be black-balled from any more jobs in the entertainment industry. This may seem like an extreme example, but I think that we will hopefully all agree that just because a person's behavior is legal doesn't make it either ethical or immune from public discussion. I also don't feel that this example is that far off from being interred with hundreds of thousands of dollars in jewelry just so that we look fashionable in a casket.

I realize that this may not apply to Ms. Houston, but the reason I would hope that one might be "bothered" to call out someone who would place coffin fashion above saving lives, would be to discourage such behavior in the future. I would hope that the "payoff" would be that in the future, some wealthy celebrity, as he's drawing up his will, would ask himself: "Would I rather put up my jewelry collection for auction to benefit the International Rescue Committee (or whatever other charity), and be remembered as a philanthropist, or would I rather look like a fashionable corpse, and be remembered as an asshole?".

[Samai139]

Let me re-phrase slightly my third point about a person's will "being none of our business."

I agree that a will is public record, its contents may be published, etc., etc.

Having acknowledged those points and others, I am still of the opinion that just because we have a right to know something does not necessarily give us (me) the right to judge or criticize or try to alter it.

If a relative of mine left my brother everything and me nothing, I would never contest that decision. That was the deceased's decision and I'll honour it. What others do and can do legally? Let your conscience guide you and good luck.

Let's allow Ms Houston to Rest In Peace. Some may lament her shortcomings and fault her actions, I'll cherish and embrace the gift she shared with us----her voice.

[Phlmuscle]

Whether she was broke or not when she died really doesn't matter. The millions that will be made from CD sales now will more than make up for that, and her daughter will benefit from that. Michael Jackson died broke also, but the estate has made millions so far in CD sales.

[Lookin]

I'm glad you asked. Since you asked, I'm going to tell you! First of all, since it appears that the rumor of Whitney Houston being buried with $500,000 is false, let's be clear that we are no longer talking about the late Ms. Houston. What celebrities and public personae do often sets examples for the behavior--not only for other famous people, but also for the general public. The fact that an action or behavior is legal does not make it right from an ethical perspective. To take a most recent example, Rush Limbaugh was perfectly within his legal rights to express his opinion that the law student was a slut and a ho. But I think it serves the public good that he be called out on this behavior, and that advertisers withdraw their financial support. So the "payoff," or "reason to bother in the first place," since you ask, is to discourage similar behavior from public figures in the future. There are many other examples one could think of in which we have "congregated and chewed" over the legal but reprehensible behavior of public figures. Another recent example was Tracy Morgan's rant in which he joked that he'd kill his son if he found out his son were gay. All quite legal, but such behavior does promote hatred and violence against gay people.

Another example which always sticks in my mind for some reason was when Prince Harry showed up to a costume party in a Nazi SS uniform. It can also serve the public good to "congregate and chew" over a public figure's behavior even after their death. For example, I feel it is a very positive thing that death certificates are public documents. The death of Heath Ledger and other public figures, for example, brought to the public a discussion of the dangers of substance abuse, and has certainly saved lives. It certainly makes my job as a physician easier when trying to explain the dangers to my patients of "doctor shopping," and drug diversion.

How would we react if a wealthy celebrity or other public figure hired a private corporate jet to land at a Darfur refugee camp and proclaimed "I flew out here just to tell you I don't give a rat's tush about any of you!"? It would all be perfectly legal and within that person's "rights." After all, it's their money to do with as they wish. I would hope we would all express outrage, and that this person would be black-balled from any more jobs in the entertainment industry. This may seem like an extreme example, but I think that we will hopefully all agree that just because a person's behavior is legal doesn't make it either ethical or immune from public discussion. I also don't feel that this example is that far off from being interred with hundreds of thousands of dollars in jewelry just so that we look fashionable in a casket.

I realize that this may not apply to Ms. Houston, but the reason I would hope that one might be "bothered" to call out someone who would place coffin fashion above saving lives, would be to discourage such behavior in the future. I would hope that the "payoff" would be that in the future, some wealthy celebrity, as he's drawing up his will, would ask himself: "Would I rather put up my jewelry collection for auction to benefit the International Rescue Committee (or whatever other charity), and be remembered as a philanthropist, or would I rather look like a fashionable corpse, and be remembered as an asshole?".

Got it! Thanks. http://www.maleescortreview.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/thumbsup.png

 

 

If any celebrities do show up looking for advice, let's hope they stop by and say hi.

 

 

Especially Prince Harry. http://www.maleescortreview.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif

 

 

http://iwandahnial.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/28-harry.jpg