The Will: Family Secrets Revealed

S3 · E1 · Oct 18, 2012

The Estate of Tammy Wynette Episode 1

In 1998, singer Tammy Wynette dies at 55 leaving four daughters, her fifth husband, and two large life insurance policies. When her daughters get cut out, they question the events of their mother’s death. The scandal rocks the country music industry.

S3 · E2 · Oct 25, 2012

The Estate of Ritchie Valens Episode 2

On "the day the music died," February 3, 1959, rock n' roll sensation Richard Valenzuela, aka Ritchie Valens, dies in a tragic plane crash at the young age of 17. Having yet to earn much money from his music, Valens does not have a will prepared. The fight for the royalties from his music begins shortly after his funeral, pitting Ritchie's family against the man who discovered, promoted, produced, and managed the young star. The legal wrangling goes on for decades, only ending in the 1980s, when the movie "La Bamba" is released, which catapults Ritchie Valens back to top of the charts.

S3 · E3 · Nov 1, 2012

The Estate of Ted Williams Episode 3

July 2002, baseball legend Ted Williams dies, his youngest children whisk his body away to be cryogenically preserved, although his will requested cremation. Ted's eldest daughter goes to court to get his body returned, exposing a troubled family history.

S3 · E4 · Nov 8, 2012

The Estate of Andy Warhol Episode 4

In February, 1987, Andy Warhol, the iconoclastic artist and 'prince of pop art,' dies from complications after a routine operation. Just 58 years old, he is one of the wealthiest artists of his time. With appraisals of his work ranging from $95 million to almost $600 million, the fight for art gets ugly. His estate lawyer and his charitable foundation duke it out amid allegations of fraud, price-fixing, and shady backroom deals. The dispute culminates in a legal standoff that calls into question Warhol's value as an artist and his legacy as a cultural icon – and just how much his own "15 minutes of fame" is worth.

S3 · E5 · Nov 15, 2012

The Estate of Etta James Episode 5

January 2012. Singer Etta James is on her deathbed. Her family battles over control of her end-of-life decisions-and her fortune. Her husband fights to keep her at home. Her sons fear their stepfather is playing fast and loose with their mother's money.

S3 · E6 · Nov 29, 2012

The Estate of LaTanya Haggerty Episode 6

In 1999, LaTanya Haggerty, an unharmed woman with no criminal record, is shot dead by the police. The family is given an 18 million dollar payment by the City of Chicago. When LaTanya's half-sister i…

S3 · E7 · Dec 6, 2012

The Estate of Robert Johnson Episode 7

In 1938, future legendary blues artist Robert Johnson dies penniless. A re-release of his recordings make him one of the top-selling blues artists of all-time. With no will or known descendants,…

S3 · E8 · Dec 13, 2012

The Estate of Steig Larsson Episode 8

Writer Stieg Larsson dies in 2004 with an invalid will. His estate goes to his brother and father while his life partner gets nothing. The dispute over the estate gets more complicated when Larsson's novel, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, becomes a hit.

S3 · E9 · Dec 20, 2012

The Estate of Norman Otto Hipel Episode 9

Norman Otto Hipel dies of a heart attack in 1953. The prominent Canadian politician leaves behind his wife and their two children, Norma and George. Following his wife’s death 25 years later, the estate is to be split equally between the children. But Norma is not told of either inheritance, and never gets her share, the value of both estimated to be more than $10 million. Norma is estranged from the family and raises her own seven children in abject poverty. Decades later, Norma’s daughter Nancy learns by fluke who her grandfather was. Nancy is willing to do whatever it takes to help her mother recoup both inheritances.

S3 · E10 · Dec 20, 2012

The Estate of John Kennedy Toole Episode 10

In 1969, aspiring author John Kennedy Toole commits suicide. He doesn’t leave a will, entitling his parents to an estate that includes his unpublished manuscript, “A Confederacy of Dunces.” His father also passes away without a will, entitling his half of his son’s estate to his extended family. Before the book can be published, mother Thelma convinces them to sign away their rights to the book, without them realizing the massive success it will become: the first-ever posthumous Pulitzer Prize winner. When Thelma finds another of Toole’s manuscripts, “The Neon Bible,” her husband’s family refuses to make the same mistake twice, and a furious Thelma will do whatever it takes to ensure these “unworthy” relatives do not profit off of her son’s genius.

S3 · E11 · Jan 3, 2013

The Estate of James Brown Episode 11

James Brown, the Godfather of Soul, dies in 2006. He leaves much of his estate to a trust for underprivileged children, while his family is left out in the cold. Was this Brown's decision, or was he influenced by trustees who are set to inherit the rest?

S3 · E12 · Jan 10, 2013

The Estate of Jimi Hendrix Episode 12

In 1970, guitar legend Jimi Hendrix dies without a will, making his father Al the sole inheritor. When Al dies, his other son Leon gets cut from his father's will. Instead, Al's adopted daughter is entrusted with carrying on the Hendrix legacy.

S3 · E13 · Jan 17, 2013

The Estate of Jerry Garcia Episode 13

In 1995, Jerry Garcia, from the Grateful Dead, dies at 53. The rock legend leaves behind a family and a multi-million-dollar estate. Both Garcia's will and the IOU's he made spark lawsuits that land those closest to Garcia in and out of court for years.

S3 · E14 · Jan 24, 2013

The Estate of Gary Coleman Episode 14

One-time child star Gary Coleman dies in 2010, and leaves behind a messy estate plan that pits his former spouse Shannon Price against best friend Anna Gray. The trial uncovers much dirt, and reveals that Coleman's relationships were not what they seemed.

S3 · E15 · Jan 31, 2013

The Estate of Brooke Astor Episode 15

S3 · E16 · Feb 7, 2013

The Genevieve Gore Estate Episode 16

In January 2005, Genevieve 'Vieve' Gore dies at the age of 91. Her and her late husband's legacy, the billion-dollar company behind Gore-Tex, is now in the hands of their 5 children and 19 grandchildren