Sam Shepard, Reknowned Playwright and Actor, Has Passed Away

The New York Times reported on July 31,2017 that Sam Shepard had passed away. He was an actor and Pulitzer-winning playwright best known for his “hallucinatory” plays and his roles in Days of Heaven” (1978), “The Right Stuff” (1983) and “Baby Boom” (1987). This amazing playwright probably left more than just bank accounts and real estate. He possibly left very valuable intellectual property, like Prince did. This intellectual property could include the rights to his famous plays. Who inherits that intellectual property? Who inherits Shepard’s real estate property? Who inherits his estate? Will there be probate litigation? Will the beneficiaries hire probate lawyers? Shepard is survived by his two children and his sisters. When planning your estate plan, be extra careful to include valuable intellectual property or valuable items, such as famous paintings. This will hopefully help keep the probate administration and litigation costs to a minimum.