The other “expensive” stuff I own is a monitor, a LaserJet Printer (that’s in need of repair) and a Dana Alphasmart (which is pretty much a over-hyped piece of shit. It sucks as a replacement laptop, which is what I bought it for, mostly). Everything else is just clothes, bedding and notebooks/paper.

Really, about the only thing I supposed I could give in a will (that’d be worth any money to anyone) would be copyrights on my journals, if ever anyone felt the insane need to publish them (they’re not that interesting), or my sketchbooks (which aren’t so much about talent as they are about patience). There’s also a few poems, that I’m going to eventually turn into an eBook of some form (assuming I have more stuff I can put in there other than just 12 or so poems :/).

OH! I know! I’d want to put in the will that mom/mom’s side of the family get nothing (mom wasn’t very nice to me or dad. She’s got a mental illness, but as her daughter, the knowledge of this doesn’t make her actions any less hurtful, or make me feel any less protective of my father). I know I’d like to write in my will that mom’s not invited to my funeral, but I know my dad will invite her anyways (because he’s all honourable that way. Something about him that I admire, even though it frustrates me at times). I imagine, I’d have to write a clause that allows her to get kicked out of the funeral & after party if she causes any trouble whatsoever for dad (although, again, no one on dad’s side of the family is going to bother enforcing this. They’re all too honourable).

Other than those two things, there’s nothing for me to leave. I have no significant other at this time, and no offspring (and I’m hoping to remain child free for my entire life. Mostly because I don’t feel I’d make an adequate parent for a child. I tend to expect them to act like little adults almost all the time, unless they’re outdoors, on a playground, or in a gym of some kind).

One (somewhat controversial) “what-if” for your consideration: had Ledger married his girlfriend, both she and his daughter would now be getting a decent monthly survivor’s benefit from (U.S.) Social Security.

And it is only in some U.S. states that traditional probate is slower than using a revocable living trust for estate planning.

The biggest advantage to a trust is its privacy - wills once filed for probate are public record, so anyone can see where the money goes (and target the beneficiaries)

Even if a trust is challenged (e.g. by a presumptive beneficiary who isn’t), the court won’t allow trust details to be made public.

I’m not sure about that. If the will is being probated in New York, well, I believe that New York law makes automatic provision for children born after a will is made unless there’s explicit evidence of intent to disinherit. So little Matilda might be automatically covered under the state laws (or the laws of whatever jurisdiction governs).

Doesn’t take away from your main point, though.

Thanks JD, for bringing up such an unpleasant but important topic.

Still, she had a backup custody suggestion and was pretty well-prepared.

Under some jurisdictions it’s possible that his daughter has a claim to the money, regardless of what’s in the will. I’m pretty sure that in France (for example) it’s almost impossible to completely disinherit your children. Check out the laws in your area so that you know and can plan for all possibilities.

He supposedly was making $2-3 million a film back in 2001-2002 or so. I know he has done a lot of low budget projects, but I’m sure he was still commanding 7 figures for the big budget stuff like Batman.

I really don’t know much about this subject, but it just occurs to me that it’s possible there is something else besides what is in his publicly available will. Well, that and I’d like to hope he stashed away some more significant assets than what is being reported.

Since copyrights live on after the artist’s death (usually), it’s especially important to make sure they’re handled the way you want them to after you’re gone.

Great tip, JD.