Hugh Hefner was apparently a fan of prenuptial agreements

Many Florida readers are aware of the recent passing of controversial media mogul Hugh Hefner. The man behind Playboy magazine, Hefner has been a colorful character in American society for decades. Upon his passing at the age of 91, it was revealed that Hefner’s wife, who is 31 years of age, is expected to receive nothing from his estate. Through a judicial use of prenuptial agreements and estate planning, it appears that Hefner’s fortune will pass down to his children and a number of charities.

Many questioned the legitimacy of the marriage, which was the third trip down the aisle for Hefner. A large part of Hefner’s public persona was wrapped up in his relationships with much younger women. Many of those women were able to capitalize on the attention to further their entertainment careers.

Regardless of whether this was a match made in heaven, there is plenty of speculation that his widow will not be part of his estate. One source stated that she would be “taken care of,” but unless there were specific provisions laid out within the will and prenup, that outcome is far from certain. It is unclear how Hefner’s four children feel about the union, and how willing they might be to share their father’s fortune with his most recent wife.

Most Florida residents have virtually nothing in common with the life led by Hugh Hefner. Even so, his death could raise interesting questions about the role that prenuptial agreements play in estate planning. As more details emerge, the public will have a glimpse into how the media mogul addressed his financial needs.

Source: ajc.com, “Hugh Hefner’s wife, Crystal Harris, signed ‘ironclad’ prenup, report s”, Nicole Moschella, Sept. 28, 2017

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