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George Michael's Estate Plan

A grown-up who took his responsibilities as seriously as his talent

George Michael’s Estate Plan

Much missed pop legend provides for his sisters, god-children and favourite charities in his Will

In the wake of George Michael’s shock death on Christmas Day, early information has begun to emerge about the superstar’s estate plan.

Just like Royle Family comedy legend Caroline Aherne, his death came unexpectedly at the young age of 53, and he didn't have a spouse and children to think about. However, unlike Miss Aherne, he appears to have taken sensible steps to protect and preserve his legacy for the benefit of the people and charities closest to his heart.

This may at first glance seem surprising, because salacious news items about George Michael often gave the impression of someone who wasn’t always in control of his personal life and didn't always make good choices.

However, despite his reputation to the contrary, George Michael avoided two key pitfalls: -

He didn't delay making an estate plan until he was “old”, and

He didn't assume that estate planning was unnecessary just because he was single and childless.

Emerging information about his estate plan has revealed a thoughtful man, who cared deeply about his friends, family and favourite charities and who made intelligent decisions to grow and conserve his financial as well as artistic legacy.

His Financial Legacy

Predictably, George Michael earned a sizeable on-going income from the royalties generated by his decades of musical achievement. He supplemented this with substantial fees for performing at private parties and events in the last ten years of his life.

He invested in bricks and mortar, and is believed to have been the owner of at least four lavish homes here in the UK, in Australia and in the United States.

He also invested shrewdly in art with the help of his former partner, art dealer Kenny Goss.   

Consequently, the financial legacy he leaves behind amounts to more than £100million.

His Heirs

The chief beneficiary of his estate is his sister Melanie, who is understood to have inherited half his estate.  Melanie was his personal hairdresser for much of his performing career, and they were especially close.

His other sister Yioda will be inheriting a substantial legacy, as will each of his many god-children, including Holly Moon and Roman Kemp, the children of his close friends, his backing singer Shirley Holliman and Spandau Ballet musician Martin Kemp, whom he first introduced to each other.

Not forgotten is Bluebell Halliwell, who is the daughter of his close friend, former Spice Girl Geri Horner and god-daughter of Kenny Goss.  

George Michael was a generous and fervent supporter of several charities, including ChildLine, the Terrence Higgins Trust and Macmillan Cancer Support, and it is understood that these organisations are to benefit substantially from his estate, in keeping with his lifelong philanthropy.

(Photograph by Suvan Chowdhury from Pexels - Regards)

 

His Example

Behind the glittering image of George Michael the Pop Legend was George Michael the Grown-Up, who took his responsibilities as seriously as his talent.

We may not have been blessed with his incandescent talent or his substantial personal wealth, but his life and untimely death bear a lesson for us all – that we can never know what’s around the corner, and that making an estate plan is a golden opportunity to ensure a meaningful legacy for the people and causes dearest to us. For guidance on where to start on following his example, just complete the contact form below or call us on 0151 601 5399.

"We decided to seek advice about estate planning because we wanted to understand how to efficiently protect our assets and pass them safely to our children and grandchildren. We also wanted to put as much help in place for our family as possible, so as to make things as easy as possible for them when the time comes. We liked Gina’s patient and diligent manner in answering our questions and guiding us to the right solutions. Gina explained everything to us with great clarity, making concepts we were unfamiliar with accessible and clear. We particularly liked the fact that Gina came to see us in our own home without our having to make a special request; this is just the way she works. It was so much easier for us to relax and talk freely in the comfort and privacy of our home. Having put the right estate plan in place we feel that we have ticked a big box. This was something we knew we had to get round to. Now it is done and sorted and we don't have to worry about it anymore. We have also gained a clear understanding of the measures that have been put in place and why they are important. "

Matt & Betty R

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