Dennis Hopper Trust Suit Poses Great Risk to His Estate

As I previously blogged, Dennis Hopper’s trust is suing his estranged wife Victoria Duffy to recover some of Hopper’s artwork that she allegedly stole. The trust is also suing to enforce the couple’s prenuptial agreement and get Duffy out of the Venice house so that they can sell it.

The problem is that the probate court hasn’t determined yet whether Duffy now owns the Venice house free and clear. The trustees seem to be jumping the gun by suing her, exposing the estate, which is only worth about $25 million, to Duffy’s $45 million counter-suit and endless litigation expenses. Further, one of the trustees is Hopper’s daughter from a previous marriage who has a possible conflict of interest due to her inheritance rights.

When asked for his opinion on the matter, attorney Arthur Boelter replied: “Even the appearance of a conflict of interest wrecks the normal checks and balances inherent in trust administration — especially in family situations. That’s where professional trustees prove their worth.”

Scott Martin, Dennis Hopper Trust Suit Against Estranged Wife Becomes Risky Business, The Trust Advisor Blog, Oct. 16, 2010.