Rosa Parks’ Estate Settlement Possible

Earlier on this blog, I reported on the looming litigation surrounding the estate of Rosa Parks.

Recent reports reflect a significant desire by the parties to settle and to avoid litigation.

According to Ronald J. Hansen, Parks’ kin hope to settle estate, detnews.com, Nov. 17, 2005:

Rosa Parks’ nephew is seeking an out-of-court settlement with her apparent estate representatives in an effort to head off a legal battle that would likely probe the mental decline of the civil rights legend and her relationship with her closest companion.

Darren Findling, the attorney for William McCauley of Detroit, said Wednesday he is hopeful all sides may reach an agreement before a scheduled Dec. 14 hearing in Wayne County Probate Court to determine who should oversee Parks’ estate matters.

“We hope to resolve this dispute amicably,” he said. “The family is not interested in making a media story out of this.” * * *

By design, her will sheds little light on Parks’ affairs. Known as a “pour-over will,” it mainly designates Steele and Shakoor as her representatives with instructions to direct her assets according to the living trust, which may never become public unless there is a legal battle.

Kaigler said negotiations are permitted to avoid such lawsuits, but so far, no changes to Parks’ living trust have been discussed. Findling said he had seen portions of the living trust, but declined to say what exactly McCauley or other family members want. Foremost, he said, McCauley wants to ensure that Parks’ memory is respected.

By law, Parks’ relatives could stand to lose whatever she intended for them if they unsuccessfully challenged her living trust. That’s because such documents can include specific instructions to exclude beneficiaries if they contest the trust.

Special thanks to David S. Luber for telling me about this article.