There are a lot of stories in the media about deceased celebrities whose final wishes either weren’t known or became a subject of dispute. The key lesson to take away from these stories is that, with a comprehensive estate plan, you can maintain control of your finances if you become incapacitated as well as control of your visitation, funeral, and burial or cremation plans after your death.
Legendary soul musician Jerry Butler, who was known for the 1960s hit “For Your Precious Love,” died earlier this year in Chicago. According to media reports, Butler’s assistant took care of his final arrangements including his visitation and funeral service, causing his family even more pain following Butler’s passing. His family was later able to celebrate his life with a memorial last month.
There have been several notable funeral disputes aside from Butler’s family. In 2014, Mickey Rooney’s funeral was delayed when members of his family disputed his known wishes. Mary Kennedy’s funeral was resolved through a sealed court proceeding in 2012. Peter Falk’s children claimed that they were not given their father’s funeral information. As a result of this family dispute, New York enacted the Peter Falk Law. Part of this law requires guardianship orders to identify individuals who must receive notice of an incapacitated person’s death as well as the funeral arrangements.
Instead of leaving your wishes for these important arrangements unknown or potentially open to dispute, you can plan ahead, document your final wishes, and designate an agent to carry out your funeral plans in the state of Illinois. Especially if you are someone without close family members, want your remains cremated or donated to science, and/or want specific religious or civil burial services, it is incredibly important to communicate your final wishes clearly.
For help with your estate plan, contact us at Wilson and Wilson Estate Planning and Elder Law, LLC at 708-482-7090.
https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/don-t-leave-your-final-wishes-open-to-9752864/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR5jk_a3AgJlwYLYMWCOCOY4V6tARmMrdcZawLQ4AHkAl08hooxgas1yC8jqew_aem_37DMmokB7i5aAlb-CQIrdQ
https://abc7chicago.com/post/cook-county-commissioner-chicago-soul-legend-jerry-iceman-butler-family-say-werent-involved-planning-funeral/15981738/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR7URayAZOeSKB8nMB_PLAgat0UOvTLG3R8slZTW9zExK4t1iMd68in-Cy09DQ_aem_2fTQU_JMUZqo0UiL4K6PPA
https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=2737&ChapterID=60&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR6Hrrh764vIRSIM7IXUzh2wHYShgN3LMDbKSfeoCRrfz-2Q-X0DW1IN9COg7Q_aem_10wva85IMN9h_PeVl7Mz9w
