Thursday, February 12, 2015

Bobbi Kristina tragedy: Who will inherit Whitney Houston's estate?



Bobbi Kristina Brownis the sole heir of her mother Whitney Houston's estate, which is estimated to be worth $20 million.

The 21-year-oldhas been in a medically induced comasince Jan. 31, and some reports now say her family plans to take her off of life supporton the third anniversary of her mother's death, which is Wednesday.

According to the terms of the will, if Bobbi Kristinadies, family matriarch Cissy Houston and her two sonsare next in line to inherit theestate -- which includes full royalties from the late singer's music, likeness and image.

Bobbi Kristina inherited 10 percent (about $2 million) when she turned 21 and was scheduled to inherit another 15 percent at age25, before receivingthe remainder at30.

The will, which was posted online by RadarOnline, states that CissyHouston and Whitney Houston's two brothers-- Michael and Gary -- inherit the estate if Bobbi Kristina dies before coming into her majority of the estate.

One thing is certain: Whitney Houston's ex-husband and Bobbi Kristina's father, Bobby Brown, does not stand to get any of the money.

"Bobby Brown's time to contest anything would have been at the time of Whitney's death,"says Shirley Whitenack, an estate planning attorney with Schenck, Price, Smith & King in Morristown, who did not handle the Houston estate. "He doesn't have any claim just by virtue of having been married to her."

The pairwere married for 14 years. Their2007 divorce nullified Brown'sclaim to her estate. It seems unlikely, too, thatBobbi Kristina's longtime beau, Nick Gordon, will get any share of the funds.

Whitney Houston appointed her mother as executor of the will, and after heruntimely death three years ago, the "I Will Always Love You" singer'ssister-in-law and former manager, Pat Houston, became co-executor.

In March 2014,Pat Houston -- who is married to Gary Houston -- obtained a restraining order against Gordon. She accused him of "making threatening comments,"to her,among other things.

Despite publicpronouncementsfrom Bobbi Kristina, includingsocialmediapostingsannouncing her engagement and marriage to Gordon, her father's lawyer last week saidthat the two werenever legally married.Thecouple is best known for co-starring on the now-defunct reality series "The Houstons: On Our Own,"which debutedin May 2012 on Lifetime.

Gordon, whom Whitney Houston took in at age 12 but never legally adopted, and a friend, discovered Bobbi Kristina face down in a bathtub in herRoswell, Georgia homein which the couple lived.

Multiple news outlets have reported that authorities suspect possible foul playin Bobbi Kristina's case after injuries were found on her face and mouth. TMZ saysGordon is the target of the investigation.

Police have only said the investigation is ongoing.

The New York Post, in a report today, says it was told by an unnamed Brown family source thatBobbi Kristina's familyhasagreed to take her off life support at midnight Wednesday to align with the three-year death anniversary ofWhitney Houston.

Janelle Griffith may be reached atjgriffith@njadvancemedia.com.Follow her on Twitter@janellefiona. Find NJ.com/Entertainment onFacebook.

Source: http://www.nj.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2015/02/bobbi_kristina_brown_estate.html



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