When celebrities die, their image may endure in the films, photographs, and works of art.  These very images can be the center of legal controversy. Take for instance the case of celebrity couple Farrah Fawcett and Ryan O’Neal.  Their decades-long relationship ended with her death in 2009.  One bequest of Fawcett’s was to leave all of her artwork to her alma mater, the University of Texas at Austin. An Andy Warhol portrait of Fawcett, however, became the object of a 2 1/2 year legal tug-of-war between the university and O’Neal, who testified that the painting represented a strong connection to Fawcett and should remain in his possession.  Another similar Warhol portrait of Farrah Fawcett that was in her possession at the time of her death went to the university, but they claimed a legal right to the one in O’Neal’s home as well. During closing arguments, attorneys for both sides tried to convince jurors of the love—or lack thereof—between the two, in order to strengthen the case that the Warhol belonged to their respective clients. The result:  the jury ruled in favor of O’Neal’s claim to keep the portrait. When there is confusion about bequests or ownership of assets in a will or trust, it can result in long, costly, and emotionally painful litigation. A clearly delineated will or trust, drawn up by an experienced estate planning attorney, can be the key to avoiding legal conflicts. My practice is centered on estate-planning issues; I can assist you in starting, completing, or updating the documents that constitute your estate plan. Please contact me at 818.956.9200 at your convenience. Glendale Location 616 E. Glenoaks Boulevard, Suite 203 Glendale, CA 91207 Sherman Oaks Location 15303 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 900 Sherman Oaks, CA 91403