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The Cary Connection NOVEMBER 2025
Cary • Raleigh • North Raleigh • Chapel Hill
Family Fairness and Property Peace Estate Tools for Multiple Heirs
In the world of estate planning, good intentions can have serious consequences.
In many instances, one of the heirs will rise (even reluctantly) and basically become the camp counselor without that role being clearly defined. Naturally, this could result in a significant headache for that person and everyone named as heirs in the estate plan. Fortunately, there are ways to coordinate your plan carefully to help circumvent these crises and promote peace of mind. Establishing a trust is the easiest way to help your heirs avoid conflicts. You can appoint a trusted person to manage the property and land and have more control over logistics behind what you intend to leave your loved ones. Cary Estate Planning can work with you to create specific rules about usage, maintenance, and even property sales. From there, we can assist you in establishing guardrails and a process for resolving disagreements among your multiple heirs. Additionally, you can leave the property to a single heir and provide instructions for compensating the others. Including a buyout provision for the multiple heirs may also be a fair option in some cases. Alternatively, you can direct your executor to sell the property and divide the proceeds. If this article has encouraged you to consider your arrangements more deeply, we’re available and happy to help you revisit and potentially revise your estate plan. Please let us know if you’re an heir currently involved in an existing or potential dispute with other heirs. Although Cary Estate Planning doesn’t handle litigation, we have a vast referral partner network of firms that can assist you.
Recently, we’ve seen an uptick in calls from people who wish to leave property to multiple heirs. While the choice to leave a home or land to more than one beneficiary is generous, it can also be complicated without proper guidance and protections. If you leave a property to multiple heirs in your will without additional planning, you’re creating what’s legally called a “tenancy in common.” That means each heir owns an undivided interest in the entire property, and these co-owners have equal rights. No single owner can sell the property without the consent of the others. Decisions about repairs, taxes, and maintenance also require everyone’s consent. Unfortunately, disagreements, miscommunications, and even power struggles can lead to deadlock and familial tension in multiple-heir arrangements, especially when family members live in different parts of the country or communication between the parties isn’t always clear. Sometimes, a sibling may be too busy to get involved, may not care, or may not want anything to do with the situation. In other cases, a vacation home transferred to all heirs could experience excessive wear and tear because one sibling lives in it six months out of the year. Your heirs’ personal finances may also come into play. What if one is unemployed and another is a millionaire? It’s hard to have equal say and decision-making if there’s a financial imbalance between the parties. There are several other reasons why leaving property to more than one person could cause strife, and the list of unwelcome scenarios is virtually endless.
An estate plan should be created to promote clarity, not add confusion. Take the initiative now to ensure your heirs will approach your legacy harmoniously.
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LAWN MUNCHIES? Here’s Why Your Dog Treats Grass Like a Snack
Tummy Troubles One of the most common beliefs is that dogs eat grass to make themselves vomit when they’re feeling nauseous. While studies show that vomiting doesn’t always follow grass-eating, some dogs seem to feel better afterward. It’s like their own natural remedy (though not all dogs use it for this purpose). Nutritional Gaps Some vets suggest grass-eating may stem from a lack of fiber or certain nutrients in a dog’s diet. If your dog’s diet is lacking, their body might be nudging them to get a bit of roughage. A quick consult with your vet (or even a change in food) might do the trick. The Uncommon Possibilities Instinctual Behavior Dogs have descended from wild canines that often consumed plant matter from their prey’s stomachs. Some experts believe this behavior could be hardwired into your pet’s DNA as a throwback to those wild meals.
If you’ve ever looked out the window and spotted your dog chowing down on your lawn like it’s a salad bar, you’re not alone. This behavior, known as “pica,” is when animals eat things that aren’t typically considered food. It has puzzled dog owners for generations. But don’t worry! In most cases, it’s completely normal. The Common Culprits Paw-sonal Preference Some dogs enjoy the taste and texture of grass, especially after a fresh rain or in the early morning when it’s dewy. Grass can be cool, crisp, and oddly satisfying for your pup. Boredom or Anxiety Dogs, like people, can engage in strange habits when bored or stressed. Chewing grass could be their version of nail-biting or fidgeting. If your pup isn’t getting enough mental stimulation or exercise, they might start nibbling the lawn out of restlessness.
Parasites or Illness In rare cases, frequent grass-eating could signal a serious issue, such as intestinal parasites or an undiagnosed medical condition. If your dog is obsessed with grass and shows other symptoms, like lethargy, weight loss, or vomiting, it’s time to call the vet. Worth the Worry? Usually, no. Occasional grass-snacking is a normal part of dog life. Just make sure your lawn isn’t treated with harmful chemicals or pesticides. If it becomes excessive or other symptoms accompany it, your vet should take a look. Ultimately, dogs sometimes eat grass simply because they’re dogs … and they can!
STOP, LOOK, AND WONDER
SIDEWALK TELESCOPES ARE BRINGING THE UNIVERSE TO YOU
Imagine walking down a city sidewalk and seeing a telescope pointed toward the sky. There aren’t any ticket lines or admission fees, only a friendly smile and a view of Saturn’s rings or the craters of the moon. That’s what’s happening thanks to a growing global movement bringing astronomy directly to the people, right on the streets! In cities worldwide, astronomy enthusiasts are setting up powerful telescopes in
parks, on sidewalks, and in busy downtown areas. Their mission is simple: to share the wonders of the universe with anyone who happens to walk by. The best part is there’s no experience required. All you need is a little curiosity. The movement is called #popscope (short for pop-up telescope). Founded in Ottawa, Ontario, in 2014, it has expanded to include hundreds of cities in Canada, the U.S., Ireland, and India Volunteers, often amateur astronomers or passionate stargazers, invite strangers to peer into the sky, and many people are left speechless. It’s a great reminder that we all live under the same stunning sky. These spontaneous sidewalk star parties are making science more accessible, especially for communities that don’t have easy access to observatories or science museums. Beyond amazing educational
opportunities, the pop-up telescope events spark something deeply human: connection. As people gather to look up, they share a sense of awe that transcends background, language, and age. It’s hard not to feel united when staring at the vastness of space. This isn’t about high-tech gear or flashy presentations; instead, it’s an opportunity to pause for a moment amidst the noise and hustle and realize the universe is right there, waiting to be admired. Thanks to these sidewalk astronomers, more and more people are getting that chance.
To volunteer for the group, visit their website at PopScope.org.
So, the next time you’re strolling through the city and see a telescope a stranger has set up, don’t walk past it. Stop. Look. Wonder. You just might see Jupiter’s moons or Saturn’s rings, and you’ll definitely walk away with a smile!
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TAKE A BREAK
APPLES BASKETBALL BLACK FRIDAY
ELECTION KINDNESS LEAVES NAP PARADE PIE SCORPIO TOPAZ VETERAN
THE GREAT ONION MARKET MELTDOWN How 2 Men Peeled the System
Many Americans like to invest in the stock market, hoping to earn supplemental income or get rich. But there’s always the fear that a hedge fund or an extremely wealthy influencer could manipulate the market, allowing them to get rich off their stocks while everyone else suffers and loses money. In theory, nobody should have the power to manipulate stocks, but it still happens. One of the most extraordinary market manipulations occurred in the 1950s. In 1955, onion futures became one of the most traded commodities on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. For those unfamiliar with futures trading, someone could sell their product months down the line for the price it’s worth today, as long as someone buys the contract. For example, let’s say wheat is trading at $5.50 per bushel right now. You purchase a futures contract to lock in that price three months later. If the price rises, you still get wheat for the initial cost, or you can sell your contract for a profit. New York-based investors Sam Siegel and Vincent Kosuga realized they could get rich quickly by manipulating the surging onion market of the 1950s. They purchased 30 million pounds of onions, almost all of Chicago’s inventory, to short- sell the stock. This meant they would sell the stocks at a higher price before rebuying them when the price dipped. They knew they could profit since they owned 98% of the inventory. After flooding the market with their onions and onion futures contracts, the price per bag dropped from $2.74 to 10 cents. Farmers were furious. Many lost their livelihood, but Siegel and Kosuga made millions. While market manipulation was unethical, it wasn’t illegal back then, so the two couldn’t be punished for their actions. To ensure this never happened again, Congress passed the Onion Futures Act in 1958, which completely banned trading in onion futures. President Eisenhower signed the bill into law. To this day, onions are the only commodity in America that is explicitly banned from futures trading.
Pumpkin Dump Cake
Ingredients
• 1 (15 oz) can pure pumpkin • 1 (10 oz) can evaporated milk • 1 cup light brown sugar • 3 eggs • 1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice
• 1 box yellow cake mix • 1 cup coarsely crushed
graham crackers or pecans • 1/2 cup toffee bits (optional) • 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, melted
Directions 1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Coat a 9x13-inch baking pan with nonstick spray and set aside. 2. In a large bowl, add pumpkin, evaporated milk, sugar, eggs, and pumpkin pie spice. 3. Stir to combine and pour into the prepared pan. 4. Sprinkle the entire box of cake mix on top, followed by nuts or graham crackers and toffee bits. 5. Pour melted butter evenly on top. 6. Bake for 45–50 minutes, until the center is set and edges are lightly browned. 7. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Inspired by CookiesAndCups.com
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Cary • Raleigh • North Raleigh • Chapel Hill 1255 Crescent Green, Suite 200, Cary, NC 27518 919-726-0896 • CaryEstatePlanning.com
Inside This Issue
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Joint Ownership, Jumbled Outcomes
Dog + Grass = Mystery? Not Anymore!
The Global Movement Making Astronomy for Everyone
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Pumpkin Dump Cake
The Day Onions Crashed the Chicago Exchange
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Inside the Explosive Probate Battle Over Gary Coleman’s Estate
2 WILLS, HAND-WRITTEN 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.
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.
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
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.
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