James Beasley’s Children Fight Over His $55 Million Estate

The following is from Shannon P. Duffy, Battle Erupts Over Handling of Trial Lawyer’s $55 Million Estate, Law.com, Feb. 15, 2008:

An ugly dispute has erupted among the five children of the late, legendary trial attorney James E. Beasley Sr., pitting the two daughters from his first marriage against the son and two daughters from his second marriage in a battle over the handling of his $55 million estate.***

The petition seeks the removal of James Beasley Jr. and Pamela Beasley from their positions as co-executors alleging that they have “conspired” to reduce the value of their father’s estate by transferring assets to their mother, Helen Beasley, “so that at the time of her death those assets will pass through her estate” and be divided only among her three children instead of giving a 20 percent share to all five children.

James Beasley Jr. said that there is no merit to any of his sisters’ claims[.]***

Under the terms of his father’s will, he said, the five children will receive their inheritances only after the death of his second wife, Helen Beasley. Until then, he said, most of the funds remain in trust to provide an income for her.***

Special thanks to Joel Dobris (Professor of Law, UC Davis School of Law) and Paul L. Caron (Associate Dean of Faculty, Charles Hartsock Professor of Law, University of Cincinnati College of Law) for bringing this article to my attention.