Estate Planning

The Fight Over Boxer Gatti's Estate

By Hull & Hull LLP

 In a recent Québec decision, the young widow of the late boxing champion, Arturo Gatti, and mother to his son, has been awarded $40,000 to cover her legal fees and child care costs. Ms. Rodrigues had asked for a $150,000 advance and their dog. She had also sought to have an earlier Will in which she did not benefit declared invalid. 

At issue is the validity of two Wills that distribute the late boxer's estate in very different ways. Ms. Rodrigues has submitted a recent Will signed this past June in Québec, which left the entire estate to her. Mr. Gatti's family contend instead that a 2007 Will signed in New Jersey is the valid last Will. This Will leaves the bulk of the estate to Mr. Gatti's mother. The Gatti family claim that the Québec Will was signed under duress. However, a signed original of the 2007 Will has apparently not yet been located by the Gatti family. Accordingly, Ms. Rodrigues sought to have this earlier Will declared invalid, an attempt that was rejected at this preliminary stage by Justice Chaput of the Québec Superior Court. He also ruled that custody of the couple's dog was not an urgent matter for the time being.

Justice Chaput has urged both sides to come to a settlement to avoid a lengthy and costly court battle that could eat away at the estate, estimated to be $6 million. However, both sides seem prepared to go the distance in their legal fight. Stay turned for a real barnburner.

Thanks for reading,

Bianca La Neve

Bianca V. La Neve - Click here for more information on Bianca La Neve.

Full post as published by Toronto Estate Law Blog on November 25, 2009 (boomark / email).