Simpsons Co-Creator Sets Up a Charitable Trust

The co- creator and executive producer ofthe Simpsons, Sam Simon, can teach business people a lesson. Simon wassuccessful in negotiating the retention of his producer credits and hascontinued to collect millions year after year even though he left the show over20 years ago. 

Recently, Simon was diagnosed withterminal cancer and has started an estate planning effort that will leave alarge portion of his estate to charity. Simon is particular about the charitieshe selects. On the list of recipients is the Sam Simon Foundation, whichrescues stray dogs and feeds the homeless with vegan food. Additionally, PETAis another charity that Simon has reportedly donated to. Simon is working withthe Rockefeller Foundation to set up a trust and designate the trust fiduciaries. As a reult of using a charitable trust Simon will avoid James Gandolfini’s estate planning mistakes. 

See Danielle and Andy Mayoras, Estate Planning Lesson From The Simpson’s Co-Creator, On Wall Street, Aug. 9, 2013.

Special thanks to Jim Hillhouse (Professional Legal Marketing (PLM, Inc.)) for bringing this article to my attention.