Lesbian Adopted By Lover Wants Share Of Family Inheritance Belonging To Former IBM Chairman
A woman who was adopted by her lover says she is entitled to the family inheritance—even though she and her partner have been broken up for years. Patricia Spado and Olive Watson were together for fourteen years. As they could not marry back then because they were a same-sex couple, in 1991,Watson legally adopted Spado—even though Spado is one year older than Watson—and Spado became Watson’s legally adopted daughter. They broke up one year later.
Watson is the daughter of former IBM CEO, president, and chairman Thomas J. Watson, Jr., who passed away in 1993. Mr. Watson left two multimillion dollar trust funds to his grandchildren and now Spado, as his adopted granddaughter, wants her share. Mr. Watson was unaware of the adoption.
According to a Connecticut judge, Watson’s share is estimated in the tens of millions of dollars. Gay rights activists say that this case is the perfect example of how blocking same-sex marriage can lead to the misuse of other laws in order to allow couples to establish legal connections with one another.
The adoption was challenged by trustees of the two trusts in Maine, where the adoption took place. They said the adoption wad invalid because Spado did not live in Maine and because she and Olive Watson never meant to have a normal parent-child relationship. They won their claim, and Spado appealed the ruling.
In Connecticut, a judge had also ruled that Spado should not receive a trust share because Olive Watson did not adopt her just so she could "obtain his (Thomas Watson's) money."
Spado is appealing the ruling.
Revocable Living Trusts
Trusts set up while someone is alive is called a living trust. These kinds of trusts can be irrevocable or revocable. A revocable trust can be changed or terminated at anytime. Irrevocable trusts are permanent.
A person who sets up a revocable living trust essentially transfers the title of his or her property (assets) into a trust. The persons or groups appointed as beneficiaries will receive income from the trust.
A trust avoids the probate process and allows the contents of the grantor’s (person establishing the trust) holdings to remain private.
At Sagaria Law, P.C., our estate planning attorneys can help you set up your irrevocable living trust, living will, will, testamentary trust, or any other type of estate planning tool that you might need. We can also represent you should issues related to an estate arise. Many of our clients reside in cities throughout Monterey County, Alameda County, and Santa Clara County, including the cities of San Jose, Fremont, Cupertino, Los Gatos, Berkeley, Oakland, Emeryville, and Carmel. To schedule a free consultation with one of our estate planning attorneys, contact Sagaria Law, P.C. today.
'Daughter' Sues For IBM Fortune, National Post, February 28, 2007
Related Web Resource:
Living Trust FAQ, Nolo
