The recent death of legendary author Harper Lee brought a tear to the eye of many as they mourned the passing of one of the most influential authors of the last fifty years. Her book, To Kill A Mockingbird, is a literary classic that has been read by tens of millions of people and often cited as a personal favorite by readers ranging from children to adults. But for those looking to read into the details of her estate they are out of luck. An Alabama probate has sealed Lee’s will from public view at the request of her executor. This act meshes well with the personality of the descendant who was well known for valuing her privacy and continued to live in the small Alabama town of her upbringing despite worldwide acclaim. The estate is estimated to be worth tens of millions of dollars due to vast number of copies of her two published works have sold and the simple lifestyle pursued by Lee after her rise to fame.
See Jennifer Crossley Howard, Judge Seals Harper Lee’s Will From Public’s Scrutiny, The New York Times, March 4, 2016.
Special thanks to Brian Cohan (Attorney at Law, Law Offices of Brian J. Cohan, P.C.) for bringing this article to my attention.
