EVEN MICHAEL CRICHTON GOT IT WRONG Estate Planning Lessons From a Literary Legend
Michael Crichton was a literary giant — the mind behind “Jurassic Park,” “The Andromeda Strain,” and “ER.” But despite his brilliance, he wasn’t immune to estate planning complications. When Crichton passed away in 2008 at 66, he left behind a complex situation that serves as a cautionary story for anyone hoping to leave a smooth legacy. Crichton had a will and trust in place, but they were outdated. Most notably, his documents did not provide for any future children. At the time of his death, his fifth wife was pregnant — a fact not reflected in his estate plan. As a result, there was a legal dispute over whether the unborn child, John Michael Todd Crichton, should be considered a beneficiary. Crichton’s adult daughter from a previous marriage argued
Estate Planning Lessons From Crichton’s Case Crichton’s estate was valued in the tens of millions, but we can all learn from his story. Here are four key takeaways. Keep your documents up to date. Life changes with marriages, divorces, births, and deaths. Your estate plan should reflect your current reality. Review it at least every 3–5 years, or immediately after a significant life event. Plan for future children and grandchildren. Even if you’re not expecting, it’s wise to include language that accounts for future descendants. This can avoid costly court battles and ensure your intentions are honored. Communicate with your family. Unspoken assumptions can lead to conflict. Being clear with your loved ones and your estate planning attorney can prevent confusion down the line. Work with an experienced estate planning professional.
that the baby should not inherit, citing the
language in the will. A court battle followed, and eventually, a judge ruled that the son could inherit from the estate — but not without litigation and unnecessary stress for the family.
Crichton had a will and trust, but they weren’t airtight. A qualified estate planner can help ensure your documents are legally sound and flexible enough for life’s surprises.
G r i
TAKE A BREAK!
INGREDIENTS
Marinade •
• • • •
1 tsp minced garlic 1/4 tsp black pepper 1/4 tsp ginger powder
2/3 cup red wine
• • • •
1/2 cup soy sauce or tamari
1/3 cup brown sugar 1/4 cup sesame oil 1 tbsp sesame seeds
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Meat •
1 1/2 lbs flank steak
DIRECTIONS 1. In a large bowl, whisk together marinade ingredients.
2. Place the flank steak in a large, rimmed dish. Pour the marinade over the meat. 3. Refrigerate and allow to marinate for 15 minutes. Flip and let marinate for another 15 minutes. 4. Preheat grill to 400 F. 5. Add the meat to the grill and cook for 3–5 minutes on each side. Leave the grill lid open to avoid overcooking. 6. For a medium-rare steak, remove from grill at 130 F internally, and for medium, remove at 140 F. 7. Let the meat rest on a cutting board for 5–10 minutes. Then, slice against the grain into thin pieces and enjoy!
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