Krusty the Clown Could Have Prepared Better

As previously mentioned, Sam Simon was the co-creator of The Simpsons.  When he died a year ago, he reportedly left his $100 million estate to various charities.  However, various charities he had supported during his life were initially miffed that they had not received support from his trust during the six months after his death.  Also, the individual taking care of his Cane Corso was squabbling with the Trustee about receiving insufficient funds to care for the dog.  Now, his girlfriend has filed a claim against his estate alleging that Simon had promised her $5 million in his will if she quit her job.  His first wife, Jennifer Tilly, also filed a claim against the estate asking to continue to receive payments from his estate for work he did on The Simpsons and the Drew Carey Show.

Many points, but let's try to keep them  focused:

1. California recognizes the concept of an oral contact to make a will although it will be difficult for the girlfriend to prove his promise to leave her money.   
2. Ohio requires that a contract to make a will must be in writing which would likely preclude the girlfriend's claim.
3. Jennifer Tilly's claim will be determined by the content of both her separation agreement and Simon's severance agreement upon leaving The Simpsons.
4. In an article published in Vanity Fair mere months before Simon's death, it was reported that Simon was using his last days determining how to give his estate to charity. No mention was made of providing for his girlfriend.
5. Matt Groening, the other co-creator of The Simpsons, once said that Simon was brilliantly funny although unpleasant and mentally unbalanced.  Simon's promises compared to his actual estate plan might have been one last brilliant joke.  Or a bit of unpleasant craziness.      

This Is Not Springfield, It Is L.A.

Sam Simon was renowned as the co-creator of "The Simpsons."  When he died earlier this year, he left an estate worth at least $100 million, most of which he left to charity.  He left the care of his rescue dog, a Cane Corso (think a pit bull on steroids, dating from Roman times) to the dog's trainer.  Alas, he did not leave any funds to the trainer for the care of the dog which requires twice a week acupuncture at $3,600 per month, gluten free regionally sourced food for $185 month, and $150 grooming every three weeks.  The trainer also requested his $7,500 monthly fee to work with the dog to keep it from "changing your life in an instant (i.e. mauling)"  even though the trainer now owned the dog.  The trainer is upset that the trustee will not provide him the funds he has requested to care for the dog.

Several points:

1.   Trusts to provide for the care of pets after the death of an owner are permissible under Ohio law.

2.  If Mr. Simon's trust did not specifically provide for the care of the dog after his death, the Trustee is not permitted to distribute funds to the new owner of the dog.

3.  When leaving someone one's pet, one should also leave a sum of money to care for the animal. I always address this issue with my clients, lest they impose a financial burden on their friends.

4.  Mr. Simon could have made a huge difference in many human lives with the $140K he was spending annually on a dog prone to attacking anyone who walked onto his property, although attacking Howard Stern is understandable.

5.  Gluten free, regionally sourced food for dogs?  L.A. deserves our scorn and mockery.