More proof that dying is a good career move for an artist but a bad one for a novelist came from The Times yesterday. Swedish crime writer Stieg Larsson author of the Millennium Trilogy died in 2004 of a massive heart attack at the age of 50. Book 1 of the trilogy was translated into English last year and became a world wide smash as The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. Mr. Larsson had made an old will leaving all his assets and monies to the Communist Party, however it was unwitnessed and thus invalid under Swedish law. Now his father, brother and girlfriend are fighting each other for royalties, film rights, an apartment, and even a laptop that supposedly contains up to six unpublished novels. What was a feel good industry story akin to the posthumous publication of The Leopard and A Confederacy of Dunces is now a horrible mess. When I briefly clerked as a lawyer I saw the damage that could come from not making or poorly making a will. It's understable that no one wants to think of their own mortality but honestly that's no excuse. In the common law tradition its very easy to make a legal will. You can get free readymade wills online and in most libraries but really all you need is a clear letter of intent, a named executor and a couple of witnesses. Still, as a famous literary case I studied in college shows even the clearest wills are no protection against the greedy.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
The Guy's Apple Laptop To Who?
More proof that dying is a good career move for an artist but a bad one for a novelist came from The Times yesterday. Swedish crime writer Stieg Larsson author of the Millennium Trilogy died in 2004 of a massive heart attack at the age of 50. Book 1 of the trilogy was translated into English last year and became a world wide smash as The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. Mr. Larsson had made an old will leaving all his assets and monies to the Communist Party, however it was unwitnessed and thus invalid under Swedish law. Now his father, brother and girlfriend are fighting each other for royalties, film rights, an apartment, and even a laptop that supposedly contains up to six unpublished novels. What was a feel good industry story akin to the posthumous publication of The Leopard and A Confederacy of Dunces is now a horrible mess. When I briefly clerked as a lawyer I saw the damage that could come from not making or poorly making a will. It's understable that no one wants to think of their own mortality but honestly that's no excuse. In the common law tradition its very easy to make a legal will. You can get free readymade wills online and in most libraries but really all you need is a clear letter of intent, a named executor and a couple of witnesses. Still, as a famous literary case I studied in college shows even the clearest wills are no protection against the greedy.
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32 comments:
Adrian,
The wife just read TGWTDT and loved it. It's a real shame about Larsson's girlfriend. I guess he didn't expect to die so young. Who does?
It seems to me that he was prepared to die young, just that he expected people to honor his clear wishes. Which is clearly a mistake when it comes to money. Or actually, anything.
Way off-topic, but kudos to amateur Shane Lowry of Ireland for winning the Irish Open in atrocious weather this weekend.
Adrian:
You are providing a service by giving people advice to get their bequests in writing and fully legalized.
Just as important, and I have recent experience with this, is to have an enforceable "living will" which gives clear instructions to everyone about exactly how far they should go to prolong your life in the event of your unconscious incapacity.
This came up for discussion Saturday when I sat between Larsson's English translator and his biggest fan at dinner.
Now, turn on your webcam; I'm off to the Crown.
==============
Detectives Beyond Borders
"Because Murder Is More Fun Away From Home"
http://www.detectivesbeyondborders.blogspot.com
You'd have thought they could share the money. There is enough of it.
Brian
Its a crying shame. The Bernard Shaw case is interesting because his will was largely invalidated. As you know you cannot create a trust to carry out an impossibility. If I remember correctly Shaw's widow (or possibly another relative) left a big chunk of money in her will to "improve the manners of the Irish" and that was not deemed an impossibility and I think it was carried out somehow.
Seana
You'd be surprised about how much fighting goes on in lawyers offices over very clear English. Actually you wouldnt be surprised.
Patrick
Let me just be clear. I DO want to be resusitated! And you can freeze my head too as long as I'm next to Ted Williams.
Peter
Have fun in the snug. A pint of stew and a pint of Guinness is as hearty a breakfast as you'll have anywhere.
Miss Witch
Twenty million at least they say, which should be enough for everyone.
So you find the manners of the Irish much improved in the post-Shavian era, do you?
Having just sat in a courtroom this past month where a very clear outcome still raised a host of motions for dismissal from the defense, you are right--I would not be surprised.
Adrian:
Jeez, I haven't even gotten the full Bentham's Head thing committed to print yet, and here you are planning for your own. Actually, the more I background the Bentham thang, the more I find out that there are LOTS of great stories about missing or otherwise legendary heads. Who knew?
Seana
We are a very polite lot these days and its all thanks to Mrs Shaw (I think).
Patrick
But I think there are few other humans who have been stuffed like JB. Incidentally did you make it to the Jeremy Bentham public house? An old tutor of mine claimed it was the only pub in the world named after a philosopher. Although there must be a pub somewhere in Berkeley which indirectly contradicts that.
Adrian: Oh, yes. Difficult to go anywhere as a footloose tourist and not visit the local pub. And after taking in old JB there in his box, I did need a drink.
The story will be told soon...
I always thought I'd avoid any of these will problems by never making any money or owning anything of value.
But really, the communist party?
Patrick
I thought of another philosoper's pub: The Old Mill.
John
Well its better than the Party Quebecois if you ask me.
My plan too and its going very well too.
You know, I am kind of surprised that some Shavian society or other hasn't done more to promote his alphabet internetwise. Or maybe they have and I am just not tuned in enough. And asking only 21 years of royalties doesn't sound unreasonable even if the idea had proved unworkable.
It seems an unwieldy idea, but not what I'd call an impossible one.
I suppose the problem is that when you're dead, you tend to get overridden.
Adrian,
If I had attended more than 50 % of my Wills, Estates, and Trusts class, I'm sure I would have a witty anecdote. But I didn't, so I don't.
Speaking of Shaw's alphabet, check
this and this out.
Very cool links, Brian. I should have known someone would have taken up the mantel.
Adrian:
The only place I know named after a philosopher is the Cafe Rousseau in Fresno, CA. Not really a pub, though. More like a somewhat pretentious attempt to add a little class to Fresno. Fails miserably at that, of course.
There is, however, The Old Spot in Dursley, Gloucestershire, which I am told is the reigning "Best Pub in Britain." The Old Spot is named after the Old Spot breed of domestic pig. I wonder, do pigs philosophise?
Also, I hereby leave my entire library of rare first editions, my gold coin collection, and my apartment building overlooking Central Park in NYC to everyone who posts on this board today!
I plan to accumulate all of these things before I die, so please stay in touch.
Nice! I was wondering where I would eventually retire to, and now I know!
There will be fighting and throwing out of windows of course. It just goes with the territory. But I am expecting to do a lot of weight training and karate when I am a little old lady, so I am really not too worried.
Patrick
Well if by Britain you're including the United Kingdom I have to say my sister's pub in Carrickfergus The Joymount Arms is the best. If we're just doing pubs on the island of Britain, my vote's for the Eagle and Child in Oxford (a sentimental choice) or The Rose and Crown on North Parade in Oxford which does the pint of beer in the world. When the aliens are thinking about destroying the Earth while everyone else is playing Beethoven's 9th and showing them the Sistine Chapel Ceiling someone will give them a pint of Old Hooky from the Rose & C and we'll all be saved.
Seana
Actually SC seems like a nice place to retire to.
Brian
I second the coolness of those links. Nice detective work.
This post only out of greed for Patrick's future possessions.
I think I will be able to afford an inherited apartment on Central Park better than retirement in Santa Cruz, though. A lot of people have to leave when they want to retire unfortunately. Luckily for me, I will probably be working till I keel over.
Larsson produced some excellent writing and characters, I'm really looking forward to reading the rest.
Bloody shame he went and died on us.
A decent female character, too, just like McKintys detective Mercado.
brendan
Brendan
Only 50 and if history is any judge he was just hitting his prime. A cryin shame.
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