In honor of Siblings Day on April 10th, we share some inheritance wars that left behind more than battle scars. The age-old competition known as “sibling rivalry” starts small. Parents shake their heads as they see kids fighting over that same stuffed animal and the last slice of pizza. Attention is the prize in our younger years. And then it progresses. As we age and inevitably watch our parents pass away, the prize takes on a new form: the family inheritance. Or more specifically, what each sibling believes is rightfully theirs. As parents this leaves us wondering – will my heirs go to war over what I leave them – or, more likely, what I do not leave them?
It is not so far-fetched to compare inheritance disputes to war: Both are long, expensive, and vicious. An actual war destroys bodies and buildings; an inheritance war destroys relationships, pitting once-close siblings against each other or reawakening old feuds between other relatives. Knowing that your legacy could be the prize in an inheritance war, the time for a pre-emptive strike against these ungrateful invaders is now. Work with our estate planning attorney to come up with a battle plan that will keep the peace in your home after you are gone. You cannot heal bad relationships between your heirs, but you can make sure they do not use your assets as a weapon.
Fighting over mom and dad’s inheritance is nothing new. Deeply rooted in history, we see the same feuds erupt over the centuries. Here are three juicy ones that may give you a renewed sense of appreciation for your darling siblings this Sibling’s Day:
The Disney Siblings: It Was Not All Magic in that Kingdom.
While the Disney siblings did not directly fight over their parents’ inheritance, there were tensions between Walt Disney and his brother Roy O. Disney, the co-founders of The Walt Disney Company. This stemmed from disagreements over the direction and management of the company after the death of their brother, Walt Disney, in 1966. Roy O. Disney, who had been the financial mastermind behind the company, clashed with Walt’s son-in-law, Ron Miller, who was appointed as CEO. Roy believed that the company was straying from its original creative vision and becoming too focused on commercial interests.
This dispute culminated in Roy O. Disney resigning as chairman of the company’s board in 1977. However, he later returned to the company to oversee the construction of Walt Disney World in Florida, which opened in 1971. Roy O. Disney’s concerns about the company’s direction were eventually addressed, and under the leadership of Michael Eisner in the 1980s and 1990s, The Walt Disney Company experienced a renaissance in animation and theme park development.
Aaron Spelling Left his Children Only a Sliver of Cheese from his Giant Cheese Wheel.
After the death of television producer Aaron Spelling, in 2006, Tori Spelling faced an inheritance dispute marked by strained relations with her mother, Candy Spelling. While Aaron Spelling left the bulk of his estimated $500 million estate to Candy, Tori and her brother, Randy, reportedly received smaller inheritances than expected (a million each to be specific). This led to publicized friction within the family, as Tori claimed financial struggles despite her father’s immense wealth. Although Tori is a reality TV star, she is no Kardashian. While there were expectations that a ‘90201’ reboot would bring in income, that failed to come to fruition. That, in conjunction with the IRS coming after Spelling for unpaid taxes amounting to $1.3 million and an unpaid American Express bill that had been run up to nearly $90,000 without payment, the money that Spelling had on hand was depleted in short order. The dispute highlighted complexities in family dynamics, favoritism, estate planning, and the unequal distribution of wealth amongst even the wealthiest of American Dynasties.
Ptolemy XII Auletes: How His Daughter, Cleopatra VII, Outsmarted her Brothers.
Ptolemy XII Auletes, a ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt, had several children who played significant roles in the kingdom’s history. Among his children were Cleopatra VII, Ptolemy XIII, Arsinoe IV, and Ptolemy XIV. Cleopatra VII, the most famous of his offspring, turned out to be the most vicious leading to the deaths of two of her brothers and demise of the third. Cleopatra became the last active ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom and is renowned for her relationships with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. Ptolemy XIII briefly co-ruled with Cleopatra but later clashed with her, leading to his eventual downfall. Arsinoe IV was a rival claimant to the throne who opposed Cleopatra, and she was eventually executed on Cleopatra’s orders. Ptolemy XIV succeeded his brother Ptolemy XIII but died under mysterious circumstances, possibly poisoned by Cleopatra. The tumultuous relationships and power struggles among Ptolemy XII’s children contributed to the decline of the Ptolemaic dynasty and the eventual annexation of Egypt by the Roman Empire.
Even Medieval Korean Dynasties had Smackdowns for the Throne.
During the Joseon Dynasty in Korea, Princes Suyang and Anpyeong, sons of King Sejong the Great, became embroiled in a power struggle following their father’s death. Suyang, the elder brother, sought to ascend to the throne, initiating a ruthless campaign to eliminate rivals. Despite Anpyeong’s rightful claim to the throne, Suyang outmaneuvered him politically and militarily. Suyang solidified his authority and eventually seized the throne, becoming King Sejo. Tragically, Anpyeong and his supporters faced persecution and were executed as Suyang consolidated his power. The conflict between these royal brothers exemplifies the intense political intrigues and familial rivalries that often-characterized succession struggles in medieval Korean history. Suyang’s rise to power as King Sejo marked a significant turning point in the Joseon Dynasty, shaping the trajectory of Korea’s political landscape for years to come.
So how do you prevent your little angels from shooting each other with arrows after you are no longer here as referee? Sit down with our trusted estate planning attorneys and put your wishes in writing. We make sure to cover ALL your bases, so that no asset remains a free for all. Whether you need a Will or a Trust, we are here to help with every detail and provide peace of mind for generations to come. Our law firm conducts consultations over the phone or Zoom and facilitate concierge signing right from your home. We speak English, Spanish, and Russian. Contact OC Estate and Elder Law at (954) 251-0332 or info@ocestatelawyers.com to receive a free consultation today.
