Dividing Up The Estate of Dead Celebs

Questions about who inherits the estate of a dead celebrities are not new controversies. Those who die leaving no natural heirs create issues that only the courts could tackle.

With some nudging from the Screen Actors Guild and the [Marilyn] Monroe estate, the California Senate drafted clarifying legislation. Senate Bill No. 771, affectionately known as the Dead Celebrities Bill, passed without objection and was signed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger earlier this month.

New York’s Legislature tabled a bill similar to California’s Dead Celebrities Bill this spring and it is expected to be reintroduced this fall. A coalition that includes Al Pacino and Jackie Robinson’s widow is among the bill’s supporters.

Here's hoping that this bill is met with strong support. We wouldn't want to see it die.

[New York Times]