Heath Ledger’s Father Says Michelle And Matilda Will Be Taken Care Of
Despite reports to the contrary, Heath’s father Kim says that even though Heath’s will did not specify it, his former lover and daughter will be taken care of financially:
It emerged this weekend that Heath’s will had not been updated since 2003 meaning lover Michelle Williams and their two-year-old daughter Matilda Rose were never included.
And Ledger’s uncles spoke out about their fears that neither Matilda, nor Michelle would get a share of the estate because the Brokeback Mountain star left all his money to his parents and sisters.
The two uncles, Mike and Haydn Ledger, said Matilda was not included in the will because it was written before her birth and not updated.
“I’m concerned for Matilda,” said one of the uncles, Hadyn Ledger. “I have concerns about the distribution of funds.”
But the actor’s father Kim Ledger dismissed those claims insisting Heath’s ex-fiance, actress Michelle and daughter, would be well looked after no matter what legal papers instructed.
“Matilda is our absolute priority and Michelle is an integral part of our family,” Kim Ledger said in a statement.
“They will be taken care of and that’s how Heath would want it to be.”
These two uncles are described as “estranged”, which makes me wonder just what their motivation is for speaking out now. By all accounts, Michelle and Heath’s family share a close bond, and I can’t see his father not taking care of the two of them. Even though Heath and Michelle had split up at the time of his death, it seems that they both still cared deeply for each other.
It is a good lesson for us all, however…make sure your affairs are in order, just in case something should happen (God forbid, but you never know).
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This is good to hear, and I would have been shocked to hear otherwise. The Ledger family, like Heath, sound to me as though they are grounded people with kindness in their hearts. Clearly Matilda is all that’s left of Heath, that child should be showered with tremendous love and support from all sides.
Good reporting k.
Also, what is up with that ad in there? Google adsense is kind of embarrassing sometimes.
Comment by D — March 11, 2008 @ 12:26 pm
Heath’s estate should mostly go to Mathilda
children should have priority.
Comment by marie mathen — March 11, 2008 @ 1:31 pm
Heath’s will could be broken through court action to provide for his child. The state has a vested interest in ensuring that the child is taken care of financially. This is not mere altruism, because if Heath’s estate doesn’t provide for her, she could become a financial burden upon the state.
I would not worry about this child being taken care of.
Comment by mirele — March 11, 2008 @ 9:35 pm
In New York, where Heath Ledger’s last will was filed, the statute provides:
“If the testator has no child living when he executes his last will, the after-born child succeeds to the portion of such testator’s estate as would have passed to such child had the testator died intestate.”
In other words, the child inherits everything under New York law. No need for the generosity of Heath’s parents.
However, according to the papers most of the estate will be administered in Australia.
Does anyone happen to know if there is a similar provision in Australian law? I have not been able to find out so far.
Comment by Gregory P Turza — March 12, 2008 @ 9:59 am
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