What Happens When Someone Dies Without a Will? 16 High-Profile Cases That Show Why Estate Planning Matters (Updated 2026)
If you’re dealing with the loss of a loved one who died without a will, you’re not alone—and you’re facing a complex legal situation that can take years and cost thousands to resolve. This article examines 16 famous cases of people who died intestate (without a valid will) and what happened to their estates, so you can understand the risks and protect your own family from similar outcomes.
Who This Article Is For
This guide is essential reading if you are:
- A family member of someone who recently passed away without a will
- Facing confusion about California intestacy laws and how property gets divided
- Trying to understand if you need to petition for guardianship or estate administration
- Worried about protecting your own family from costly legal battles
- Concerned about minor heirs who need legal guardianship
The Real Cost of Dying Without a Will
According to a study published in The Conversation, estate disputes where no valid will exists typically cost families around $17,000 in attorney fees alone. But when significant assets are involved, those costs can skyrocket into the millions—and legal battles can drag on for years or even decades.
In July 2023, a Michigan jury ruled that a handwritten document found under Aretha Franklin’s couch was her valid will. This case highlights a critical reality: without proper estate planning, even icons worth millions can leave their families in legal chaos.
Why Do People Avoid Writing a Will?
In 1984, estate attorney William D. Zabel wrote in The New York Times that people often refuse to write wills because they aren’t ready to “resolve their true feelings” about death, property, and family. He observed that “refusing to do a will—or to sign it, once done—is often a way a man refuses to confront his fear of death”.
But avoidance comes at a steep price. When someone dies intestate, state law—not family wishes—determines who inherits what.
What Makes a Will Valid in the United States?
In the US, a will doesn’t have to be drafted by a lawyer or even typed to be valid. A person can usually create a valid will if:
- Their intentions are clearly written down
- The document appears to be intended as a will
- They had the mental capacity when writing it
- Two witnesses sign the will (requirements vary by state)
However, professional legal assistance significantly increases the likelihood your will stands up in court and your wishes are honored.
16 Cautionary Tales: Famous People Who Died Without Wills (Updated 2026)
1. Billie Holiday (1959) – Estate Worth $750
Jazz legend Billie Holiday died at 44 with almost no money in her bank accounts—just $750 strapped to her leg. Without a will, her estate, including valuable royalties and image rights, went to her estranged and abusive third husband, Louis McKay. When McKay died in 1981, Holiday’s estate passed to his widow, who sold it to a publishing company.
Author Danyel Smith noted: “It’s not right that someone who was as awful to Billie Holiday as Louis McKay was would then have control of her likeness and her money”. Today, control of her legacy remains in the hands of people who never knew her.
2. Jimi Hendrix (1970) – Estate Worth $80 Million
Guitar icon Jimi Hendrix died at 27, leaving an $80 million estate without a will. Legal battles erupted in 2002 after his father died, leaving Hendrix’s stepsister Janie in control. His brother Leon challenged the will, but a Seattle court rejected his claim two years later. Lawsuits around Hendrix’s name and rights continue to this day.
3. Pablo Picasso (1973) – Estate Worth $250 Million
Pablo Picasso died at 91 without a will, leaving behind 45,000 artworks, including 1,885 paintings and 1,228 sculptures. His lawyer explained: “He never made one because of superstition. A way of avoiding death, one might say”.
By 1980, his estate was appraised at $250 million. It took six years and cost $30 million just to divide his assets among seven heirs.
4. Howard Hughes (1976) – Estate Worth $500 Million
Billionaire Howard Hughes died without a will on April 5, 1976. Around 600 people tried to claim portions of his fortune, with 40 fake wills submitted before being dismissed. The US government claimed $169 million, and it took over 30 years to distribute the remaining $1.5 billion to 1,000 people.
5. Martin Luther King Jr. (1968) – Modest Estate With Major Disputes
Civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. died without a will in 1968. Though he’d given away most of his wealth, including his $50,000 Nobel Peace Prize and book royalties, disputes still arose among his children.
In 2014, two of King’s children voted to sell his personal Bible and Nobel Peace Prize medal. His daughter Bernice, who possessed the items, refused. A judge eventually ordered the items released in 2016, allowing the sale.
6. Bob Marley (1981) – Estate Worth $30 Million
Reggae legend Bob Marley died at 36 in 1981, knowing he had cancer but choosing not to write a will. His last words to his son were: “Money can’t buy life”.
Under Jamaican law, his estate was divided among his spouse and 11 children. His wife Rita sued for more than the 10% she was entitled to, later admitting to forging signatures and backdating documents to transfer $9 million to her name. Though a jury cleared Rita, her lawyer and accountant were found guilty of fraud.
In 1987, estate administrator Louis Byles called it “perhaps the most complex and difficult estate ever to be administered in Jamaica, if not the Western Hemisphere as a whole”.
7. Kurt Cobain (1994) – Estate Worth $450 Million
Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain died at 27 without a valid will. Washington State found several draft wills invalid. His estate, later valued at $450 million, went primarily to his wife Courtney Love, with a trust for their daughter Frances Bean. Money from Cobain’s company was split 60-40 between them.
8. Tupac Shakur (1996) – Estate Worth $40 Million
Rapper Tupac Shakur died at 25 without a will, leaving a $40 million estate to his mother, Afeni Shakur-Davis. After Afeni’s death, record label manager Tom Whalley took over as executor. In 2022, Tupac’s sister sued Whalley, claiming he unreasonably enriched himself by taking $5.5 million from the estate.
9. Stieg Larsson (2004) – Millions in Book Royalties
Swedish novelist Stieg Larsson, author of “Girl with a Dragon Tattoo,” died at 50 without a will. His trilogy became a worldwide phenomenon, selling millions of copies.
Despite a 32-year partnership with Eva Gabrielsson, Swedish law gave his estate to his father and brother because non-marital relationships aren’t recognized. The couple had avoided marriage to protect Gabrielsson from Larsson’s enemies—he was a journalist fighting right-wing extremists.
The Larssons offered Gabrielsson $2.6 million, but she refused, wanting to be his literary executor. The dispute became a bitter public battle.
10. Amy Winehouse (2011) – Estate Worth $4.6 Million
Singer Amy Winehouse died at 27 without a will. The court awarded her $4.6 million estate (after debts) to her parents. Her ex-husband Blake Fielder-Civil received nothing initially, though he later got $320,000 in a settlement. In 2019, he made another claim for $1.4 million—the outcome remains unclear.
11. Prince (2016) – Estate Worth $300 Million
Music icon Prince died at 57 without a will, leaving a $300 million estate. The New York Times reported he preferred doing things himself rather than relying on others, which may explain why he never executed a will.
Multiple people made claims, including alleged children and a previously unknown wife—all dismissed. Without a will, spouse, or children, it took six years of legal battles to resolve the estate.
12. Aretha Franklin (2018) – Estate Worth $18 Million
The “Queen of Soul” Aretha Franklin died at 76 without a clearly valid will. Instead, three handwritten documents were found in her home—one under the couch, another locked away.
Her sons argued over which will to follow because they gave different distribution instructions. In July 2023, a Michigan court ruled the more recent will found under her couch should be followed.
13. Chadwick Boseman (2020) – Estate Value Undisclosed
Chadwick Boseman, the beloved star of “Black Panther,” died at 43 from colon cancer without a will. His case serves as a particularly poignant reminder that estate planning isn’t just for the elderly.
The absence of a will meant his estate went through probate, with his widow and parents involved in determining asset distribution. The case became another high-profile example of how even young, successful people often fail to plan for the unexpected.
14. James Brown (2006) – Estate Worth Millions
The “Godfather of Soul” James Brown died on Christmas Day 2006 with a clear wish: he wanted most of his estate to educate children in South Carolina and Georgia, where he grew up in poverty.
Nearly 20 years later, feuds have blocked millions of dollars from reaching these children. Brown left behind a tangled mess of debt, four ex-wives, six recognized children, and a will that sparked endless disputes. His charitable intentions to help disadvantaged children have been completely thwarted by legal battles.
This case shows that even having a will isn’t enough if it’s not properly structured and executed.
15. Tony Bennett (2023) – Estate Value Undisclosed
A major estate war erupted after Tony Bennett’s death, with his daughters suing their brother over his handling of the singer’s assets. The battle was still ongoing in New York courthouses as of 2025.
Bennett had specifically barred his daughters from managing his money or legacy in trust and will documents he signed in 2016. He placed control in his son’s hands instead, fueling an ongoing family conflict. The case filed in June 2024 demonstrates how estate planning decisions can create or prevent family rifts, even when a will exists.
16. Michael Jackson (2009) – Ongoing Disputes After 15+ Years
While Michael Jackson did have a will when he died in 2009, disputes have continued for over 15 years. As of 2024, his children’s and mother’s trusts still cannot be funded until the estate settles a dispute with the IRS.
After Jackson’s death, some siblings claimed the will was fake and called on executors to resign. The case shows that even with a will, estate battles can drag on for decades when there are tax issues or family disputes over the document’s validity.
How California Intestacy Laws Work
When someone dies without a will in California, state intestacy laws determine who inherits. These laws follow a strict formula based on surviving relatives—not personal wishes or family dynamics. The probate court appoints an administrator to handle the estate, and assets are distributed according to a predetermined hierarchy.
This process can be especially complicated when:
- Minor children need legal guardianship
- There are disputes among family members
- Significant assets or property are involved
- Family structures are blended or non-traditional
Questions Families Ask When Someone Dies Without a Will
Can the state really take my loved one’s property?
While the state doesn’t typically “seize” property, intestacy laws mean the court—not your family—decides distribution. Without proper legal representation, families can lose control over assets they assumed would stay within the family.
What happens to minor children if there’s no will?
Without a designated guardian in a will, the court decides who raises your children. This can lead to custody disputes and place children with relatives who may not have been your choice.
How long does probate take without a will?
California probate typically takes 12-18 months minimum, but contested cases can drag on for years—as shown by the celebrity examples above where disputes lasted decades.
Do I need a lawyer to navigate intestate succession?
Yes. Probate law is complex, and families dealing with intestacy face additional challenges. Experienced probate attorneys help you petition for administration, protect your inheritance rights, and resolve disputes efficiently.
How California Probate and Trust Can Help Families Facing Intestacy
If your loved one died without a will, California Probate and Trust provides experienced legal guidance through every step of the probate process. Our Sacramento-based attorneys have helped thousands of families navigate:
- Probate administration – Petitioning the court and managing estate distribution under intestacy laws
- Guardianship proceedings – Protecting minor heirs and establishing legal guardianship
- Estate disputes – Resolving family conflicts over asset distribution
- Asset protection – Ensuring your family’s inheritance rights are preserved
Our compassionate approach recognizes that you’re dealing with grief while facing legal complexity. We provide clear, transparent guidance and fight to protect what matters most—your family.
Don’t Let Your Family Face These Challenges
The stories above share a common thread: preventable tragedy. A properly executed estate plan ensures your wishes are honored, your family is protected, and your legacy is preserved on your terms.
California Probate and Trust offers free estate planning consultations to help you:
- Understand your options, from simple wills to comprehensive trusts