Many people do not know that it is possible to pass away and have their children receive no portion of their estates. This is true even when the deceased has a clear intent to makes sure that the children receive an inheritance. Recently, we have learned that this may have happened to Louis Armstrong who passed away several decades ago.
The musician was believed to have passed away without any biological children. His wife signed an affidavit with the court that said that was true. What she did not know is that Armstrong had a long affair with another woman that resulted in a daughter. After years of silence, that daughter has come forward with proof of her relationship to Armstrong. Armstrong wrote of the daughter in one of the letters, “Whatever college she wishes to go to I’ve got her covered. All she have to do is finish high school and that’s where I step in. As long as Ol’ Satchmo lives, her happiness is assured. P.S. If I die, she will be straight just the same”
It is clear that Armstrong wanted to take care of the daughter and wanted to leave her an inheritance. However, because no one else knew about her, she did not receive an inheritance from her famous father. There were several ways that Armstrong could have left the daughter something without telling his wife when he was alive, which makes the situation that much sadder.
Stephen A. Mendel, Estate Planning Attorney
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