Law Office of Rhonda D. Zimmerman, Esq.
Law Office of Rhonda D. Zimmerman, Esq.

Larry King’s Estate Demonstrates Issues with Holographic Wills

Broward will lawyer

In Florida, some people believe that they can use handwritten wills to ensure that their assets are distributed according to their wishes. However, Florida courts do not recognize these types of wills. Wills must be properly executed and witnessed before they can be validated by Florida courts. Broward will lawyer Rhonda D. Zimmerman, Esq. can help you properly create a will and avoid potential problems. Handwritten or holographic wills also can cause other issues and may be subject to will contests even in states where they are recognized as demonstrated by the case of Larry King’s estate.

Larry King’s Holographic Will

Larry King, a famous television host, passed away on Jan. 23, 2021. His estate is already embroiled in a court battle between his estranged wife and one of his children. King filed a petition for divorce from Shawn King in 2019. Two months after he filed for divorce, he handwrote a will and signed it. The handwritten will calls for the equal division of 100% of King’s estate between his children. Two of his children died after his will, leaving three others. His remaining three children include two that he shared with Shawn King and a third son, Larry King, Jr., from an earlier relationship.

On Feb. 10, 2021, Larry King, Jr. filed King’s holographic will with the probate court and asked the court to appoint him as a special administrator. Shawn King filed an objection to the holographic will on Feb. 16, arguing that it had no legal effect conflicted with the will that King had written in 2015. The earlier will named Shawn King as the estate’s executor. She also argued that Larry King, Jr. was born after Larry King and his mother had ended their relationship and that Larry King didn’t know his son until his son was in his 30s. She also argued that Larry King, Jr. had exercised undue influence over Larry King and that Larry King did not have the mental capacity to write the holographic will.

Larry King, Jr. argues that Shawn King and Larry King were not together any longer, had sold their home, and lived separately. Shawn King argued that the couple had gone to counseling and that reconciliation had been possible until Larry King’s health problems made that an impossibility. The court has scheduled the case for a tentative hearing in Los Angeles on Feb. 24.

Get Help From an Experienced Broward Will Lawyer

Larry King’s estate demonstrates the importance of creating a properly drafted and executed will. When you correctly create and execute a will, it is much likelier to withstand a will contest. Contact the Law Offices of Rhonda D. Zimmerman at 954.567.1060 to schedule an appointment.

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