The story of the talented performer that drug addiction got the best of is one that's been told too many times. When a celebrity passes away unexpectedly, though, there are typically assets and financial responsibilities he or she leaves behind that can spur legal issues.
On Saturday, pop legend Whitney Houston was reportedly found dead in a bathtub at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. While the cause of her death has yet to be officially determined, she is believed to have overdosed on a combination of prescription drugs and alcohol, but early reports indicated that she may have drowned.
The details of Whitney's estate have yet to be exposed, but with an expected increase in album sales, the asset distribution process could be complicated. In addition, she had just settled a case regarding the estate of her father who died in 2003. Whitney had lent her father, John, a considerable amount of money to pay for a house, and after his death, she received a substantial sum of cash as a part of his life insurance policy. Whitney's stepmother protested the decision and filed a lawsuit against her, which was recently dismissed by a judge.
Houston learned shortly before her own death that estate planning can create of problems for those closely connected to the deceased person if proper legal procedures are not taken care of prior to his or her passing.
As a result, Californians, young and old, should have an asset management plan in order as soon as possible, because there's no telling when something tragic could happen. By contacting a lawyer referral service, California residents can find an experienced estate planning attorney that will help them put provisions in place so that their loved ones aren't left with a legal mess after their death.
Attorney Search Network is a California state bar certified legal referral service that helps clients find an attorney for nearly any type of case, whether they require a family lawyer, bankruptcy attorney, estate planning attorney or criminal lawyer.
