Berea College in Complex Court Battle Over Professor’s Estate

Berea College has filed a suit concerning the disposition ofLawrence E. Bowling’s estate, estimated to be worth $1.7 million.  In a 2008 will, Bowling granted over $1million in assets to Berea College, $100,000 each to his two nephews, and$101,000 to friends, Ronnie and Shirley Mason.

After the 2008 will was executed, an elderly Bowling movedin with his nephew and his nephew’s wife, Billie and Hattie Stegall.  Hattie then proceeded to purchase a $1million life insurance policy naming the Stegalls as beneficiaries.  She also observed Bowling write a notevoiding all previous wills.  Berea College iscontesting the validity of both the life insurance policy and the handwrittennote.

Before writing his 2008 will, Bowling granted Jami D. Stout,his only granddaughter, power of attorney, which he later revoked after sheattempted to steal his assets.  Bowling had left his granddaughter only $1 in his 2008 willas a sign of his disappointment in her, but if Bowling’s 2008 will is revokedby the handwritten note, she will solely inherit his entire estate.

The Masons have also complicated the court battle bypresenting a handwritten codicil, which grants them his Berea property.

See Sarah Hogsed, Berea College Files Suit in Dispute Over$1.7 Million Estate, The Richmond Register, May 28, 2013.