Have you ever heard of Donohue’s Steak House in New York? The Steakhouse’s regular customer Robert “King of Ming” Ellsworth made a memorable goodbye to two of his favorite waitresses when he left them $50k by writing their first names in his will. Would the same gift be valid under Florida probate law? Learn more.
Man Leaves Waitresses Each $50K
- Robert Ellsworth got the name “King of Ming” by becoming one of the most well known Asian Art Moguls in the world.
- He is making news yet again when he left his two favorite waitresses in his will by penciling in their first names.
- Is this valid in Florida, for a West Palm Beach estate plan?
- The man knew his two favorite waitresses by “Maureen at Donohue’s” and “Maureen at Donohue’s Niece Maureen.” Can he put that in his will?
- The two did not learn about the inheritance until after the man’s death, his lawyer contacted them in December about the inheritance.
- Mr. Ellsworth was the world’s wealthiest Asian art dealer and died at the age of 85 last year.
- The man apparently ate at Donohue’s Steak House seven meals a week.
- What do you think will happen to the rest of his $200 million estate?
- Palm Beach probate litigators know that it can be complicated leaving someone in your will without a last name but that if the person is identifiable it usually will not be a problem.
- Although this kind story made news for good reasons, wills like this can lead to will contests about who the true beneficiary was.
- What happens when there was more than one (in fact there were 2 he just gave them both something) “Maureen” claiming a right to that inheritance?
- Delray Beach will contests can get ugly even over a small award, and can eat up the rest of the estate in legal fees.
Want to learn even more check out a newspaper article on this strange inheritance, by clicking here.