Like many people who don’t expect to die in the near future, Anne Heche, an American actress, director, and screenwriter most known for her Daytime Emmy Award after portraying Vicky Hudson and Marley Love in the soap opera Another World has recently passed away. And while her recent tragic death is still deeply felt by loved ones, it hasn’t stopped others from beginning to work in favor of her estate. The Heche case follows in the footsteps of many celebrities—and regular people—who may not realize the burden they place on their children when they fail to have an estate plan.
On August 5th, a car Anne Heche was driving jumped a curb, smashed into a home, and caught on fire, leading to declaring Heche brain dead on August 11. She was kept alive through life-prolonging support for three days until her organs were donated. Unfortunately, Anne Heche passed away at the age of 53 with no estate plan, leaving it for her several family members to make decisions that she may have not wanted.
Homer Laffoon, Heche’s son with her ex-husband Coleman Laffoon, filed a petition in the Los Angeles Superior Court requesting to be allowed to manage his mother’s estate. As administrator, Laffoon would be responsible to collect, inventory, appraise and manage all of the late actresses’ assets. Depending on the size of the estate, this may be a hefty responsibility for a 20-year-old. Additionally, he petitioned someone to represent his brother, Atlas Tupper, son of Anne Heche and James Tupper.
Although the value of Heche’s estate is unknown, her estate will need to undergo forensic accounting, due to the unknown worth of the I Know What You Did Last Sumer star upon her death. An October 11th hearing is scheduled to evaluate this request.
Lessons from the Anne Heche situation:
- Everyone needs an estate plan. In the months to come, the general public may learn more than Heche would have liked as her entire estate may be subject to probate. While there is no official estate plan documenting Anne Heche’s wishes, it seems that there was enough knowledge available to make crucial post-life decisions. Not to mention Homer Lafon’s recent remarks acknowledging that Heche’s final resting place burial at the Hollywood Forever cemetery was a choice she would have approved of would suggest that level of information is present.
- Every parent needs a will to name a guardian for their minor children. In this case, Atlas has a father, but if that weren’t the case, the court would have to name a guardian, who can be a stranger or someone Anne would have not been comfortable with.
You don’t have to be a celebrated actress to want to keep your business private and your family protected. All you need is a proper and up-to-date estate plan.
Estate Planning:
Whether you have created an estate plan that needs to be reviewed or whether you do not have an estate plan, don’t postpone it and contact us today. At Legacy Counsel, we will ensure you have the correct support and guidance to protect your family, keeping them away from the courts and conflicts, no matter the circumstances. Estate planning can be confusing, especially if you have substantial assets. But, with the help of a skilled attorney, you can navigate pitfalls and ensure your legacy is enjoyed by your intended heirs. Schedule a free 15 min call right here to learn more.
