We often hear about scenarios playing themselves out after the deaths of celebrities that are relevant to those who are interested in the field of estate planning. Along these lines a somewhat sad situation has emerged around the estate of the recently deceased actor Sherman Hemsley.
There are few if any sitcom characters that have become etched into the public consciousness as firmly as that of George Jefferson. Sherman Hemsley brilliantly animated this character and initially presented it as a guest star on the All in the Family series.
People enjoyed the character so much that a spinoff was launched and Hemsley became a star of his own series: The Jeffersons.
He went on to other successes as well and the entertainment world was certainly saddened to hear about his passing at the relatively young age of 74 on July 24, 2012.
Helmsley was childless and he had never been legally married. However, he was living with a woman named Flora Enchinton at the time of his death. They had been live-in partners for a decade and Enchinton has stated that their relationship dates back some 20 years.
She never heard anything from Hemsley about having a brother. However, an individual out of Philadelphia named Richard Thornton has emerged claiming to be Hemsley’s brother. Though the actor executed a last will leaving everything to Enchinton it is being challenged by Thornton.
The matter is being reviewed by the probate court in El Paso, Texas which is where Helmsley lived and ultimately passed away.
Even if things seem simple on the surface, you never know what may transpire after you pass away. This is why it is so important to execute an ironclad estate plan with the assistance of a licensed central New Jersey estate planning attorney when you are making preparations for the future.
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