Carley’s Corner - Marlon Brando’s Unkept Promises
Marlon Brando was an American actor with a successful film career that lasted 60 years. There is no denying his impact on the film industry, and he is regarded as one of the greatest and most influential actors of the 20th century. Brando is best known for his roles in films such as The Godfather, A Streetcar Named Desire, and Guys and Dolls to only name a few. Marlon was married numerous times and fathered over 16 children. On July 1, 2004, Marlon Brando passed away from respiratory failure at the UCLA Medical Centre at the age of 80.
Upon his death, it is estimated that Brando’s estate was worth $21.6 million dollars. To date, he is one of Forbes’ top-earning deceased celebrities with his estate generating about $9 million dollars yearly. Luckily, Marlon Brando did have a Will and estate plans set in place. He also chose to be cremated and have his ashes mixed with his good friend Wally Cox, which were then scattered in both Tahiti and Death Valley in 2007. Since his death, there have been various lawsuits and complications with his estate such as: Alleged children have come forward as heirs; controversy regarding the commercialization of his island in the South Pacific, and numerous lawsuits regarding how the Executors have chosen to control his image and legacy.
One complication that we would like to highlight arose from his long-time housekeeper and friend, Angela Borlaza. She claimed that Brando had given her the house she lived in but had kept it in his name for tax purposes and that he had also promised her continued employment with the company that he owned. She was facing being kicked out of her home (and making no profit from the sale), as well as losing her long-time job. Marlon Brando had apparently verbally promised her these things but had never put it into writing in his estate plans. Borlaza went on to sue the estate and eventually, the case was settled in 2007 for $125,000.00.
How could this have been avoided you ask? The answer is simple, ensure all your promises are in writing and that you are updating your estate planning documents regularly. Oral promises will not do; if you are serious, execute the correct written documents. Have you promised your family members any of your personal belongings or family heirlooms? What about your car? To avoid complications and family disputes ensure that EVERY verbal promise made is in writing and is easy to locate within your documents. We see too many families that in the end are left in bitter disputes over things such as teacups and photo albums when it could have been easily avoided along the way. Ensure that the legacy you leave behind is the one you wanted.
If you are struggling to navigate a messy estate such as this, know that help is out there for Executors and closer than you think! Contact us today for a free consultation and to ease life after death.
This blog is not intended to be legal advice and should not be relied on as such. If you require legal advice, please contact a legal professional concerning your particular circumstances.