By The newspaper
Nov 29, 2023, 11:40 PM EST
In a story as old as time, or rather, as old as Sue the T-Rex, a new legal dispute arises over the inheritance tied to the world-famous dinosaur skeleton.
The colossal fossil, affectionately named Sue, made headlines not only for its prehistoric origins, but also for the considerable sum generated by its auction.
Now, attention shifts from the dinosaur itself to a family dispute, as the brothers engage in a court battle over the millions left in Sue’s legacy, according to the AP.
Sue’s journey and its price
Discovered in 1990 on the Cheyenne River Reservation in South Dakota, Sue’s skeleton sparked years of legal battles over property rights. Ultimately, the Williams couple, Maurice and Darlene, claimed the rights and netted $7.6 million from Sue’s auction.
The magnificent T-Rex now stands at Chicago’s Field Museum, captivating visitors as the most complete specimen of its kind.
Williams’ legacy took a dramatic turn when Maurice Williams passed away in 2011, leaving behind a substantial fortune generated from the sale of Sue.
The final chapter unfolds with the death of Darlene Williams in December 2020, triggering a legal showdown between her four children. Three brothers become embroiled in a legal dispute over inheritance, challenging the fate of Sue’s millions.
Dueling wills and T-Rex money
At the center of the dispute is a family divided by two conflicting wills of Darlene Williams. The first, signed in 2017, includes all of her children and grandchildren, and her daughter Sandra Williams Luther was appointed to oversee the estate.
However, a second will, dated just weeks before Darlene’s death in 2020, names Luther as the sole heir, citing Darlene’s desire for family peace following her passing.
Jacqueline Schwartz, another daughter, questions the legality of the second will, highlighting the circumstances of its signing during Darlene’s critical illness and Covid-19 restrictions.
The dispute extends to the sale of Darlene’s home in Spearfish, South Dakota, with proceeds of $225,000 allocated to her son, Carson Williams. The legal battleground expands beyond Sue’s legacy and delves into family property transactions.
As the legal saga unfolds, no trial date has been set, leaving many unanswered questions about the fate of Sue’s millions and the resolution of the Williams family dispute.
Once a symbol of ancient mysteries, Sue now serves as the backdrop for a modern family drama, showing that even multimillion-dollar legacies are not immune to legal battles.
The courtroom promises to unravel the intricate ties between siblings, contested wills, and the financial labyrinth left behind by Sue the T-Rex’s extraordinary journey.
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