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Who’s Your Daddy: Fighting For The Estate Of Charles Manson

Manson’s 2002 last will -- whether valid or not -- notably states the following phrase: 'I'm not in the best spot to rest in peace.'

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Even convicted murderers die with contested estates. Such is the case with cult leader Charles Manson, who killed at least nine people during a death spree in 1969. He died at the age of 83 from complications of colon cancer in November 2017 following 40 years in prison. In Los Angeles County Superior Court, Jason Freeman, Manson’s grandson, is battling Michael Channels, the decedent’s prison pen pal and Murderabilia collector, for control and receipt of the estate.

Manson’s estate includes his original music, art work, the right to use his image, and his personal items collected during his incarceration. Currently, Freeman’s attorney, Dale Kiken, is acting as administrator of the Estate. Channels claims that a 2002 last will for Manson disinherits his sons,  Charles Manson, Jr. and  Michael Brunner and grandsons in favor of Channels. Channels signed the will as one of two witnesses, which may present a conflict given that he is the sole beneficiary.

Freeman’s father, Charles Manson, Jr., shot and killed himself several years ago. He was reportedly very affected by his association with Manson and in trying to distance himself, even took on his step-father’s name. In March 2018, the court awarded Freeman his grandfather’s corpse, which he promptly had cremated. Last week, Channels demanded that Freeman undergo a DNA test to prove that he is in fact a biological grandson. Freeman refused, stating that he will not voluntarily submit to testing.

Channels and Freeman are the last men standing in an estate contest which previously included at least two other claimants, each purporting to be an heir to the Manson estate. Matt Lentz claimed he was Manson’s biological son who was given up for adoption. He also alleged that a 2007 will existed naming him as the sole beneficiary. He later abandoned his claims. Manson’s biological son, Michael Brunner, also halted his claims to the estate as it was deemed that he lost his status as an heir when he was adopted to by his maternal grandparents.

It is not unusual for a decedent’s kinship to be debated during an estate contest. The property of an individual who dies without a will or “intestate” is distributed in accordance with the state’s laws as to the next-of-kin. The more relatives, the less for each beneficiary. When a will is offered to the courts, the decedent’s family, regardless of its inclusion,  is also  notified and often given the opportunity to object to the proffered document. The probate court will determine who is family, either biologically, via adoption, or other court mechanism. If a will is deemed invalid, a prior will is considered or in the absence of one, the laws of intestacy will control.

When money and control are at stake, people inquire and worse, litigate. Following a death, adoptions may be questioned. Was a child legally adopted or did she remain a step-child? If the latter, she may not share in the deceased’s estate. With spouses, questions as to legal marriages may arise in addition to verifications of actual divorces and not simply separations. In nontraditional families, questions may arise as to non-marital children. In these cases, DNA testing may be proposed to determine an actual relation unless there is overwhelming evidence corroborating the relationship.

Requirements for proving familial relationships vary from state to state. It behooves one who has a blended family to make certain her estate plan is intact so as not to cause unnecessary confusion or worse, litigation upon her passing. It is best practice to include, in one’s will, an identification clause stating the name of one’s spouse and children. Further, if a disinheritance is warranted, include a mindfulness clause wherein the testarix states that while she has a child, she chooses to exclude her from the testamentary scheme.

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Charles Manson’s notoriety is unparalleled in our collective American history of murderers. Manson’s 2002 last will — whether valid or not — notably states, in Manson’s own handwriting, the following phrase: “I’m not in the best spot to rest in peace.” Murders and other vicious crimes aside, this reflection accurately depicts the circumstances surrounding his estate and so many others where post-mortem conflict abounds.

Cori A. Robinson is a solo practitioner having founded Cori A. Robinson PLLC, a New York and New Jersey law firm, in 2017. For more than a decade Cori has focused her law practice on trusts and estates and elder law including estate and Medicaid planning, probate and administration, estate litigation, and guardianships. She can be reached at cori@robinsonestatelaw.com. 

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