Legendary Oscar-winning actor Marlon Brando left the bulk of his estate (worth approximately $26 million) to his producer, other associates, and his longtime housekeeper, Angela Borlaza.
Brando created a valid last will and testament. However, he did not include Borlaza – who later sued alleging that Brando promised that she would inherit his home when he died.
A Promise Is A Promise…
While a promise is a promise, it can be easily broken. In this case, Brando either never promised Borlaza anything or promised to give her the home, but never got around to putting it in his will. Borlaza claimed the latter and sued his estate for $627,000.
However, since the alleged promise was oral, the court was restrained by what was contained in Brando’s will on the assumption that he made all of his wishes known. Borlaza eventually settled the matter for $125,000, but she was lucky to get even that.
Making oral promises to someone about what they’ll inherit when you die generally fail without some other proof that the promise was valid such as someone else being part of the conversation in which the promise was made. Short of that, courts can – and reasonably must – rely upon the documents in front of it when probating an estate.
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Put It in Writing
Make sure that your loved ones receive everything you promised them by putting your wishes in writing through a last will and testament, a trust, or another estate planning tool. Don’t rest on your laurels. It is imperative to update your estate plan documents when any significant or life-changing events occur such as:
- a new oral promise you made to someone
- adoption
- birth
- circumstance changes (change in health, wealth, or state of residence)
- divorce
- income changes
- marriage
- divorce
- re-marriage
Need help putting your wishes in writing? You’re in the right place. Contact our office today and let us help you decide what type of estate plan might work best for your situation. It’s easier than you think and will give you the peace of mind that your loved ones aren’t forgotten.
You can schedule a call with us or reach us directly at 855.528.9637 to learn more about how best to plan today to protect those most important to you.
Gabriel Katzner
In 2002, Gabriel Katzner, the founding partner of Katzner Law Group received his Juris Doctorate with honors from the Fordham University School of Law. After spending the first 7 years of his legal career
practicing at Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP, an international law firm based in New York, he went on to found his own firm.
Gabriel Katzner has a track record, along with a vast number of
outstanding public reviews across platforms, of working hard on behalf of individuals who need assistance with comprehensive
estate planning services. Finding a lawyer who is knowledgeable about revocable and irrevocable trust planning, guardianship for minor children, asset protection, trust administration and probate,
as well as Medi-Cal / Medicaid planning is extremely important.
Years of experience: More than 17 years
Location: New York, NY
