Screen icon Burt Reynolds made a distinctive decision regarding his will, choosing to leave out his only son while ensuring he was not entirely excluded.
As revealed by TMZ, the will, dated back to 2011, specifies that Reynolds intentionally excludes his son Quinton from his Last Will and Testament, clarifying that provisions for him were made during Reynolds’ lifetime via his Declaration of Trust.
In the same document, Reynolds appoints his niece Nancy Lee Brown Hess as the personal representative of his estate.
Additionally, he designates his great nephew Brian Ritchey Brown and subsequently his great niece Tracy Erin Rogers as potential successors in case the initial appointee is unable to fulfill the role.
TMZ reports that all of Reynolds’ assets are seemingly held within the trust, potentially serving as a strategic move to navigate estate tax implications.
Following Reynolds’ passing at the age of 82 earlier this month, his ex-wife Loni Anderson shared her sentiments with Fox News, expressing gratitude for the overwhelming love and support received on behalf of Quinton and herself from individuals worldwide.
Reflecting on their shared history, Anderson described Reynolds as a significant presence in both her life and Quinton’s, spanning over three decades of fatherhood to Quinton and twelve years of companionship with her.
Reynolds, who had an estimated net worth of $5 million at the time of his death, once admitted in a 2015 interview with Vanity Fair to having mismanaged his finances, attributing his losses to negligence rather than lack of success in investments.
In a tribute honoring Reynolds, Hess emphasized his multifaceted persona beyond just being a renowned actor, highlighting his generosity, passion, and sensitivity towards his loved ones, fans, and students.
She fondly recollected Reynolds’ resilience, citing an incident during filming where he endured a serious injury yet persisted to complete the project, showcasing his unwavering determination and dedication to his craft.
Hess further revealed Reynolds’ excitement for future projects, particularly his anticipation of collaborating with Quentin Tarantino on the film “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” alongside a talented ensemble cast.
