Artist Dies Leaving Millions, But Funeral Funding Is Almost Non-Existent

Recently, a funeral was held for Merton Simpson, aninternationally known African art dealer and artist. Mr. Simpson passed with anart collection worth millions of dollars. However, after his funeral Mr.Simpson’s body was not buried. Instead, his body was returned to a funeral homein Charleston. This is not a common occurrence. The problem arose from adispute about Mr. Simpson’s assets. The dispute included allegations ofmismanagement and exploitation. According to the artist’s son even though Mr.Simpson has worth in his assets they are “illiquid.” In 53 years, Mr.Fielding, the funeral homes practicing attorney, has never experienced anythinglike this.

Recently, lawyers filed a will dated April 7, 2011, naming Simpson’s son Merton Jr. as an executor, and distributing the assets to his sons,brother, and a nephew. The will states that it replaces any previous wills.However, the court still needs to decide the will’s validity. In the meantime,judge appointed elder law lawyer, Ann Pinciss Berman, has been Mr. Simpson’sguardian since last year. Ms. Berman claims she only has been allotted $3,000for funeral arrangements in New York and another $3,000 for expenses incurredin Charleston. The limited funds are not enough for a burial. Ms. Berman statesthat she has to preserve the estate for his heirs and can not provide anymore funds. In the meantime, MertonSimpson Jr. has asked friends and family to set aside their differences andgive money through a PayPal account for funeral related expenses. 

See Patricia Cohen and Peter Lattman, Art Worth Millions, Yet No Cash For Burial, Nytimes.com, Mar. 25, 2013.

Special thanks Karen E. Boxx (Associate Professor of Law, University of Washington School of Law) for bringing this to my attention.