2 Wills, Handwritten Codicil Spark Legal War Gary Coleman’s Probate Drama
Gary Coleman’s death at age 42 in 2010 led to one of the most convoluted probate battles in celebrity estate history. Although he left only modest assets, the fight over his will and remains spiraled into a legal saga filled with dramatic courtroom testimony and personal revelations. Coleman had signed multiple wills: a 1999 document naming a former manager as his executor and a 2005 will naming his longtime assistant and friend, Anna Gray, as executor and sole beneficiary. Even though he divorced Shannon Price in 2008, Coleman had allegedly added a handwritten codicil in 2007, leaving everything to her. Price asserted they continued living together as husband and wife, despite the divorce, claiming a common‑law marriage under Utah law. This twist turned a probate hearing into a character trial. Price’s legal team presented witnesses (bank officers, Coleman’s agent, and relatives) who testified that the couple filed joint taxes, shared bank accounts, and called each other husband and wife. But Anna Gray’s side countered with a strong testimony. The judge questioned whether Price had established a public reputation as a wife, a key requirement for common‑law recognition in Utah.
In May 2012, after three days of explosive testimony, Judge James Taylor ruled that Price failed to show a recognized common‑law marriage with Coleman at the time of his death. This meant that the 2005 will naming Anna Gray as executor and beneficiary stood as the controlling document. So, what did Coleman actually leave behind? His estate amounted to little more than his home ($315,000), royalty payments, and possessions. The real value lay in deciding who controlled Coleman’s name, ashes, and remaining intellectual property. Adding to court records, Shannon Price was the person who authorized turning off Coleman’s life support when he fell and suffered a brain hemorrhage in 2010. Whether that gave her moral or legal standing remained hotly debated, but in probate court, she lost. And in the end, the probate judge settled the matter: Anna Gray inherited what remained of Coleman’s estate, his ashes, and control over the disposition of his name and legacy.
From Hospitality to Legal Expertise: Say Hello to Gaby
We are thrilled to welcome Gaby to the Shoup Legal family! Gaby joins our team as a Legal Office Assistant, bringing precision and dedication to every task she takes on. Her role focuses on making the administrative side of estate planning seamless for our clients. This means ensuring documents are printed, organized, and fully executed with no detail overlooked. From preparing final signings to confirming every signature is in place, Gaby’s meticulous attention to detail keeps our process running smoothly and our clients confident. Before joining Shoup Legal, Gaby honed her skills as a paralegal in Redlands, specializing in probate and controversial estate planning. Interestingly, her journey into law wasn’t a straight path. She began her career in hospitality, including a role in hotel management and as a server at The Cheesecake Factory. What drew her to the legal field was the structure and order she found in the work. Gaby thrives in environments where organization, procedure, and detail matter, and she’s naturally inclined to create systems that keep everything running efficiently. After completing a paralegal course, she discovered that estate planning, in particular, resonated with her. She loves helping people achieve peace of mind, knowing their wishes will be honored, and providing support families didn’t even realize they needed.
Although she’s still new to Shoup Legal, Gaby has quickly embraced our collaborative culture. She appreciates the supportive
environment, where colleagues are always ready to assist and ensure processes are streamlined and precise. She enjoys the sense of ownership and responsibility the team shares and values the open communication that allows everyone to thrive.
Outside work, Gaby is adventurous and creative. She loves offshore fishing, hiking, camping, and spending time with her two dogs, a French bulldog and a cockapoo. She’s married and enjoys indulging her culinary talents, particularly making what she claims is the best crème brûlée you’ll ever have. She’s an avid painter and loves exploring new hobbies with the same enthusiasm she brings to work.
We are excited to have Gaby as part of our team and family! Welcome aboard!
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