ESTATE PLANNING -YOUNG PEOPLE NEED ESTATE PLANNING TOO—LEARNING WITH JAMES VAN DER BEEK AND LISA MARIE PRESLEY- WHO BOTH DIED WAY TOO YOUNG

Estate planning is not only about getting forgetful or dying old, it is about planning while you are young and healthy for life and death, protecting your dignity, preserving your assets, and protecting your loved ones, especially your young children. At Ally M. Glaser, PA, I sell peace of mind for my clients and their loved ones. By creating unique, holistic estate plans that cover the legalities, their assets, and their wishes. I educate, empower, and protect my clients at any age. There are so many examples of young people dying too soon.

James Van Der Beek, the actor best known for his iconic role of Dawson on Dawson’s Creek, died February 11, 2026, at age 48, leaving behind his wife and six children, ages 4 to 15 years old. His medical bills and extensive care left the family financially challenged. Proper planning could have helped ease this heartbreaking loss.

Lisa Marie Presley, Elvis’ daughter and only child, died January 12, 2023, at the age of 54. Her estate was fraught with problems; IRS debts, fights over the important job of successor trustee between her mother and adult daughter who were both named at different times in her documents, and a fraudulent foreclosure attempted on the Graceland estate, Elvis’ home. But most importantly, was the custody question of her fourteen-year-old daughters, who would have custody and raise her teen girls? 

WHAT HAPPENS TO YOUNG CHILDREN WHEN A PARENT DIES?

A minor child is anyone under the age of 18. A court decides what is in the best interest of the minor children. In most states, the surviving parent gets custody; but, not always. In the case of Lisa Marie, her two teen girls live with their father, Michael Lockwood, who has full custody. 

WHAT HAPPENED TO GRACELAND, ELVIS’ HOME? IS FRAUD COMMON WHEN SOMEONE DIES?

Sadly, there is an abundance of fraud related to real estate and assets owned by a deceased person. And, Graceland, Elvis’ home, was not immune to these attempts to take advantage of these in between times. Once a loved one has died, please cancel all credit cards, contact banks and investments, notify the county or country regarding real estate, and handle any other assets immediately to prevent fraud.

Graceland was the center of a fraudulent foreclosure sale scheme in May 2024. After Lisa Marie’s death, a fake company claimed to have documents signed by Lisa Marie. They were later proven to be forgeries. This foreclosure sale was stopped by Elvis’ granddaughter, Riley Keough, Lisa Marie’s adult daughter, who inherited the property after her mother’s death. Today, Graceland is safe and continues to operate as a museum. 

WHO IS THE TRUSTEE OF LISA MARIE’S TRUST AND WHAT OTHER ISSUES EXISTED UPON LISA MARIE’S DEATH?

Upon Lisa Marie’s death, her adult daughter, Riley Keogh, was named to become the trustee in her updated documents. This was challenged soon after her death by her mother, Priscilla Presley, claiming the amendment was invalid. This lawsuit has since been resolved in Riley’s favor. 

The other issue, which I see too often, is there was no will. A trust is a must in most cases, but a will is necessary too. Many times, a trust is found without a will, leaving things confusing at best. 

WHY SHOULD I USE ALLY M. GLASER, PA TO HANDLE MY WILLS AND TRUSTS, ESTATE PLANNING, AND PROBATE MATTERS?

I sell peace of mind and protect my clients and their loved ones with my holistic approach to estate planning. I am authentic, knowledgeable, and caring. As an Estate Planning, Wills and Trusts and Probate Attorney in Miami Beach, Florida with almost thirty years of experience and both a Psychology and Law degree, I handle these matters with knowledge and sensitivity. I am familiar and comfortable with both the Miami-Dade probate court system and Broward County probate court and I know how to get things done. I handle both estate planning and probate cases, thus, I am familiar with the challenges of each and provide my clients with additional protections. I am happy to help you and your loved ones during this important process. I enjoy helping people plan and have done so for almost thirty years. Call or email today and I can protect you and your loved ones too. I look forward to giving you peace of mind and making this an easy process for all involved.