An Alabama Judge has agreed to shield the will of To Kill A Mockingbird author Harper Lee. There has been a great deal of curiosity about the author’s estate, but the Judge’s decision will respect the families wishes for privacy. In the order Probate Judge Greg Norris held that the court “finds by clear and convincing evidence that information contained in the will and associated court filings pertains to wholly private family matters; poses a serious threat of harassment, exploitation, physical intrusion, or other particularized harm to persons identified in those documents or otherwise entitled to notice of this proceeding; and poses potential for harm to third persons not entitled to notice of this proceeding.” There is also speculation about where Harper Lee’s papers will be donated which many consider to be a literary treasure trove.
See Tom Steele, Judge seals ‘Mockingbird’ author Harper Lee’s will from public’s scrutiny, The Dallas Morning News, March 4, 2016.
Special thanks to Jim Hartnett (The Hartnett Law Firm) for bringing this article to my attention.
