Melvin and Howard

Melvin Dummar died this week. He was famous for having been named as a 1/16th beneficiary of Howard Hughes’ unwitnessed handwritten will which was known as “The Mormon Will.”

Dummar allegedly found a disheveled Hughes near a Nevada brothel and gave him a ride to The Sands hotel in 1967. After Hughes’ death in 1976, an unknown man delivered a letter to Dummar, who was then living in Utah, for forwarding to the Church of Latter Day Saints. Before delivering it, Dummars steamed it open and saw that he and the Mormon Church were listed as beneficiaries of the will. Hughes was not a Mormon, but Dummars was. The will was one of 40 wills purportedly made by Hughes none of which were deemed to be valid.

A valid will for Hughes was never found resulting in his fortune benefitting distant cousins and other relatives. Hughes reportedly did not want his relatives to benefit from his fortune. Dummar’s alleged encounter with Hughes was made into the award winning movie, “Melvin and Howard,” in 1980.

Several points:

1. As a single man with no children and no siblings, Hughes definitely should have prepared an estate plan to distribute his billions.

2. As a man who dated Katherine Hepburn, Ava Gardner, and Gloria Vanderbilt among others, it is doubtful that Hughes frequented a brothel hours from Las Vegas although his penchant for not cutting his hair and fingernails were likely a turn off for many women.

3. If this incredible story were not already made into a movie, it screams of material that needs to be made into a movie.

Photo Credit:  United Press International
License:  Fair Use/Education (from linked article)

Piece of Britney (Part 2)

Since her breakdown in 2007 and early 2008, Britney Spears’ finances have been controlled by her co-conservators - her father, Jamie Spears, and attorney, Andrew Wallett. The conservatorship was to assist Britney with managing her financial affairs after she shaved her head, performed poorly at the MTV Video Awards, and locked herself in her bathroom with her young son for 24 hours.

Recent court filings show that Britney earned $56 million last year and spent $385K. Predictably, her ex-husband, Kevin Federline, wants to triple the $20K/month child support he receives from Britney. The one time back up dancer has six kids - two with Britney, two with his first wife, and two with his current wife - but only earns $35K/year. Britney and her co-conservators oppose the increase request. The child support will end in any case when their youngest son turns 18 in 2024.

Several points:

1. If the conservatorship has limited Britney’s spending to $385K, it is clearly working so why end it?

2. $240K should be more than sufficient for K-Fed’s two sons with Britney. He likely needs the extra cash to support his other 4 children.

3. Some of Britney’s favorite stores per the filings are Target, TJ Maxx, Old Navy, Ralph’s, and McDonalds. You can take the girl out of Louisiana but apparently you cannot take Louisiana out of the girl.

Photo Credit:  Reuters/Mario Anzuoni - RC1AEDAB9420
License:  Fair Use/Education (from linked article)

Piece of Britney

When Britney Spears had her breakdown in 2008 (think shaved head and window smashing), her father and attorney became her conservators. In Ohio, they would be known as guardians. They manage both her physical well being and her finances. As such, they make sure she takes her medicine for her unspecified illness as well as manage her career.

In recent years, Britney, who has been described as shy has not testified at hearings about continuing the conservatorship. She reportedly is only interested in seeing her sons. Her father receives 1.5% of the $17.5 million annual revenues from her Planet Hollywood shows and the same cut from the merch sales. Her court appointed attorney has received $2 million in fees since 2008 and the other conservators have received $6.7 million.

Three brief points:

1. Britney clearly needed someone to assist her in 2008 while she was crumbling. She is likely still alive, while Michael Jackson and Prince are not, because of that.

2. Guardianships can be temporary and Britney's seems to be a perfect example of temporary intervention being all that is required. She should have the right to make stupid decisions on her own.

3. I doubt that I am the only one who read the NYT article who thought that Britney was nothing more than a trained seal performing at the behest of her inner circle for the reward of seeing her sons.

Khloe and Lamar (Update)

At the risk of turning this blog into TMZ-lite or another gossip site, Khloe Kardashian and Lamar Odom have called off their pending divorce. Lamar has recovered enough from his cocaine and Viagra induced coma that he is now in physical therapy.

Two brief points:

1.  Despite my advice to the contrary, good for Lamar that he did not revise his estate planning and health care documents to remove Khloe from them as beneficiary and health care decision maker.  He saved some drafting fees while also saving his life.  I suspect other disabled individuals did not have such good fortune when their estranged spouse was calling the shots.

2.  James Harden apparently does not share my sentiments about Lamar's reconciliation with Khloe.

The Thrill Is Gone

While BB King is in hospice care, three of his eleven surviving children were in court last week trying to wrest the dying man’s power of attorney from his long time manager.  The court found that there was no evidence to support the family members’ claims of physical neglect or misuse of funds.  The judge further stated that Mr. King is competent and can make his own decisions to change his care providers if he desires.

Several points:

1.  This seems like a battle with little at stake for the family because the power of attorney will cease to be effective upon Mr. King’s death. Essentially, his children are incurring large legal bills for control of his affairs for the next two weeks.   

2.  Even appropriate planning, such as implementing financial and health care powers of attorney, cannot prevent disputes among family members when money is involved. 

3.  With eleven surviving children, and four deceased children, I suspect that the administration of his estate will be neither quick nor smooth.