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I don't know exactly why, but I'm fascinated by the Last Will and Testaments of the rich and famous. The terms of the wills of the likes of anyone from Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, to Elvis Presley, to Babe Ruth can be found right online. And the British government provides public access to over a million wills and even offers a free download of Shakespeare's last will at their DocumentsOnline website.
What fascinates me even more is how many of the young and famous have died with wills.Marilyn Monroe and Princess Diana both died with wills at the age of 36, as did John F. Kennedy, Jr. at the age of 38. Anna Nicole Smith (aka Vickie Lynn Marshall) died two years ago at the age of 39 with a will that she wrote in 2001, and actor Heath Ledger died in March 2008 at the age of 28 with a will that he wrote in 2003. Singer Janis Joplin died at the age of 27 but managed to update her will only two days before her death. She actually provided for up to $2,500 to be set aside for a party in her honor.
While we can only speculate why the rich and famous decide to write last wills, their diligence certainly sets a good example for the not so rich and famous. Find out the top five reasons why people decide to meet with an estate planning attorney - all five have nothing to do with being famous and three of the five have nothing to do with money.
- What Happens if You Don't Have an Estate Plan?
- Overview of the Estate Planning Process
- 10 Steps to Creating a Good Estate Plan
- Feb. 20, 2009 - What Will Happen to Heath Ledger's Oscar?
- July 3, 2009 - What Does Michael Jackson's Will Say?
- Oct. 5, 2009 - What Does Ted Kennedy's Will Say?
- Nov. 17, 2009 - Contents of Farrah Fawcett's Revocable Living Trust Revealed
