If only Steig Larsson had an estate plan …
Steig Larsson was a Swedish writer and creator of the “Millennium Series” (a trilogy of novels whose titles include: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo – The Girl who Played with Fire – and The Girl who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest).
So popular were Larsson’s novels that the “Millennium Series” was adapted into a trilogy of movies in his native Sweden. The first novel in the series, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo was later adapted into a major motion picture in the United States as well.
Unfortunately Steig Larsson died of a heart attack five years prior to the release of the first film. He was fifty years old.
Larsson was survived by his father, brother and a long time girlfriend with whom he shared a home, Eva Gabriel.
Unfortunately, Larsson did not have a valid will or trust.
Here in lies the irony …
Larsson must have held some interest in estate planning prior to reaching literary success.
A will dating back to nineteen seventy-seven was discovered after his death. It bequeathed every asset Larsson owned at that time to his chosen political party. The will, however, had never been signed by a witness. And so, it was legally invalid.
As a result, Larsson’s estate endured a long, bitter, and expensive probate, which ultimately benefited his father and brother, both of whom Larsson had been estranged from for years. They shared ownership of everything, including half ownership of Eva Gabriel’s home.
Eva Gabriel on the other hand (Larsson’s partner of over thirty years) initially received nothing.
After additional and costly legal proceedings, the court changed its mind, and awarded Eva Gabriel sole ownership of the home she shared with Steig Larsson. This proved to be her only inherited item.
Whether it was Larsson’s intention to leave anything, everything, or nothing to Eva Gabriel, or to his father or brother for that matter, we will never know.
We would have known if he only had a valid, updated will. If he had a trust in addition to his will, his beneficiaries could have been spared incredible expense, excruciating drama, and the stress of probate.
As always, should you have any interest in obtaining more information on wills, trusts, or any other estate planning option, please consult a qualified estate planning attorney.
