August 16, 2005

RAY CHARLES' WILL                                                                    
WHO SAW TO THE DETAILS??

I am not entirely sure why the public loves reading celebrities’ Wills. Perhaps, it’s because we think celebrities have access to the smartest professionals in the world and by studying their documents we can be privy to their sophisticated strategies. Or, maybe it’s our voyeuristic tendencies and reading through celebrities’ Wills is akin to walking through their clothing closets and rifling through their most private drawers. Whatever the reason, we all seem to enjoy doing it, and as an example, my expose of last year on Babe Ruth’s Will received more than its share of positive feedback.

Ray Charles Robinson was born in Georgia on September 23, 1930. Professionally, he was known as Ray Charles, but many of fans new him simply as “Ray “ or “The Genius”. Despite becoming blind at the age of 7, Ray achieved enormous success in the music world and was the recipient of 7 Grammy awards. He died at age 73. His signed, California Will was admitted into Probate soon thereafter.

So how did Ray draft and sign his Will?

In fact Ray didn’t sign his own Will, nor did he have to. His long-term friend and manager Joe Adams signed Ray’s name to his Will in the presence of two attesting witnesses.

Interestingly, there is absolutely nothing stated in Ray’s Will to indicate that he is blind or had another individual sign the Will for him. Our statutes in Florida under Section 732.502, similarly allow for an alternate person to sign a Will provided that it is in the presence of the Testator and with his direction. In addition, the witnesses must attest to the fact an alternate individual signed the Will.

So why am I writing about this?

Despite the fact that the kiddies have already been rushed off to school, it’s still mid-summer.  Do you really want to read about “Death Tax Repeal” or rising oil prices every week? I think not.

What about the contents in Ray’s Will----Anything juicy?

Sorry folks—not much ….  Ray’s Will was what we call a “Pour-Over Will” (we have drafted many of these for you, our clients) and left his entire estate to the Robinson Trust. If his Attorneys and Financial Advisors did most of their homework, then there may be very little information of public record. However, the Will listed his entire family, including 12 children and 20 grandchildren.

Can you keep the contents of your estate private and out of the public eye?

Certainly! Our team of Lawyers at Frye & Nasco P.A. is adept at drafting Living Trusts and other creative documents that in most cases will avoid the probate system and help keep things private for your family. We can also help you structure an effective tax minimization and/or charitable giving plan for your family through the use of  Private Trusts and/or Charitable Trusts and Foundations.

OK here’s a little juice!

In 1980 Ray formed the Ray Charles Robinson Foundation for the hearing impaired!

Did I just accidentally write, the  ‘hearing impaired’ instead of the ‘blind?’

No. Apparently, Ray didn’t feel his blindness was much of a disability. Ray once said, “I can’t imagine being deaf. To me, it’s the worst thing in the world. Imagine never being able to hear music. Most people expect me to help the blind, but I don’t think they need my help. After all, I’m blind and I’m doing all right.” Wow… Food for thought…

RAY CHARLES ROBINSON 1930-2004.                                                                                

Austin A. Frye, MBA, JD, CFP®

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