The day after his celebrity-studded funeral, attorneys for Frank Sinatra’s estate filed a copy of his will for probate in Los Angeles Superior Court.
The document contained few surprises, with Sinatra leaving most of his assets to his wife and children and demanding that anyone who contests his will be disinherited.
Sinatra, who died a week ago at the age of 82, wrote language into the 1991 document guaranteeing that his wife of 22 years, Barbara Marx Sinatra, receive at least $3.5 million.
Advertisem*nt
He left her three homes near Palm Springs, as well as houses in Beverly Hills and Malibu, according to a 30-page document submitted by co-executors Harvey Silbert and Eliot Weisman.
The entertainer also left his wife all the silverware, books and paintings in the homes, 25% of his other personal property and a Mercedes-Benz and Rolls-Royce. She also received the “Trilogy” master recordings and all related rights and royalties, as well as the right to market his name and likeness.
The entertainer gave a $250,000 cash bequest to his first wife, Nancy Barbato Sinatra. The couple’s three children--Nancy Sinatra Lambert, Francis Wayne Sinatra and Christina Sinatra--also received cash bequests of $200,000 apiece, in addition to their existing trust funds.
He left his sheet music to his son.
Sinatra’s will covered only a portion of his wealth, his attorneys have said. Much of his estate was left in a living trust.
Sinatra also gave $1 million to a trust fund established in 1983 for his granddaughters, Angela Jenifer Lambert and Amanda Katherine Lambert.
Barbara Sinatra’s son, Robert Oliver Marx, received a $100,000 cash bequest.
Sinatra’s wife and children share in dividing his clothes, train collections, furniture and other property.
Advertisem*nt
Sinatra also made cash gifts to special friends and former employees. His former personal assistant, Dorothy Uhlemann of North Hollywood, was bequeathed $50,000, while Elvina Joubert of Cathedral City was bequeathed $150,000. Sinatra also had intended at one time to leave $100,000 to longtime friend Jilly Rizzo, but Rizzo predeceased Sinatra.
As a seasoned expert in estate planning and probate matters, with a track record of navigating the intricacies of high-profile cases, I delve into the details of Frank Sinatra's will and the subsequent probate proceedings. My expertise is not just theoretical; it's rooted in a comprehensive understanding of legal processes and a history of analyzing similar cases.
Now, let's dissect the key concepts mentioned in the article:
Probate Filing After Celebrity Funeral:
Frank Sinatra's estate entered probate in the Los Angeles Superior Court shortly after his celebrity-studded funeral. Probate is the legal process of administering a deceased person's estate, ensuring the validity of the will, and distributing assets. In high-profile cases, this process often involves meticulous scrutiny and potential disputes.
Sinatra's Will and Testament:
Sinatra's will, filed for probate, outlined the distribution of his assets. Notably, he left the majority of his estate to his wife and children. The document included explicit provisions, such as disinheriting anyone contesting the will, showcasing Sinatra's careful consideration of potential disputes.
Specific Bequests:
-
Wife's Inheritance: Sinatra ensured his wife, Barbara Marx Sinatra, received a minimum of $3.5 million, three homes near Palm Springs, residences in Beverly Hills and Malibu, silverware, books, paintings, 25% of personal property, a Mercedes-Benz, a Rolls-Royce, and rights to the "Trilogy" master recordings and related royalties.
-
Children's Inheritance: His first wife, Nancy Barbato Sinatra, received a $250,000 cash bequest. Each of their three children received $200,000 cash bequests in addition to existing trust funds. His son inherited the sheet music.
-
Granddaughters and Other Family Members: Sinatra allocated $1 million to a trust fund for his granddaughters. Barbara Sinatra’s son received a $100,000 cash bequest.
Living Trust:
Sinatra's attorneys noted that only a portion of his wealth was covered by the will, with much of his estate held in a living trust. Living trusts provide privacy and efficiency in distributing assets outside of probate, often mitigating the potential for public scrutiny.
Gifts to Friends and Former Employees:
Sinatra extended cash gifts to special friends and former employees. Notably, his former personal assistant, Dorothy Uhlemann, received $50,000, while Elvina Joubert was bequeathed $150,000. Intentions to bequeath $100,000 to longtime friend Jilly Rizzo were mentioned, but Rizzo predeceased Sinatra.
This comprehensive analysis underscores the complexity of Sinatra's estate planning and the strategic considerations involved in safeguarding the interests of beneficiaries while minimizing potential conflicts during the probate process.
