Estate Auctions – Rich and Famous Estates vs John Doe type Estates (not that John Doe!)
Granted there are various opinions, yet sometimes there are extenuating circumstances.

Personally, I have been given items from individuals who have passed, some valuable and others not from a monetary measure, but the items are treasured and I wouldn’t sell for any amount of money. That said, when there is an entire household or multiple households with items, there is a need for distribution of assets. To those left dealing with said distribution, it is either a burden,
a duty, a grieving and/or healing experience, or a combination of any/all. Ideally, an attempt to distribute all items evenly among any heirs, friends, relatives would be made. The rest sold or donated to little or no fanfare.

As you know given your industry saavy, when the estate is tied to a famous or wealthy person, it seems greed usually rears its ugly head. In some cases, the distribution of items becomes spectacle or spectator sport. In regards to the estate of THE Godfather of Soul – Mr. James Brown (forgive me for not throwing out the RIP, but I didn’t personally know the man –I’ll get
to that comment soon), I thought I initially heard the estate (as in his home) and it’s contents were to be preserved and turned into a museum for fans. Isn’t that the stance one of his business managers took to justify taking over the property (that was already in his name –that’s another
interesting detail)?

I completely agree with your comment that unresolved conflicts should be worked out prior to going to auction. You also know this is where it gets tricky, and many people are not aware of the shady dealings that ensue. Some Trustees and/or managers are crooks, breach their fiduciary duty and have nothing to lose by selling off the assets. I write this because I know of a particular case where the manager had previously convinced the deceased (while still living, of course) to set up a trust and appoint him as trustee–really shady. In fact, they benefit financially (administrator fees) in doing so and gain complete control. Then the heirs have to hire an attorney in an attempt to regain control which is very costly and time consuming. To further complicate matters, the shady trustee will often pit heirs against one another to maintain control and divert attention from him/her. By the time all is settled, often a couple of years later, a lot of money is missing, assets are long gone and the business was poorly handled in the meantime. It’s also very difficult to prove any wrong doing at this point,as many of these sheisters have co-horts (sometimes an heir or two, publisher, bank employee(s), etc) and are skilled at cooking the books and hiding assets. Plus, it’s usually too late for the proper handling of business matters where timing is important. Don’t get me wrong, some business managers and trustees do conduct themselves accordingly, but to generalize, those celebs with drama while alive can expect drama when they are gone –their managers bank on it.

Unfortunately, there are the heirs –family, friends, et al, who often don’t have the money or wits to put up a fight for fair and equitable distribution, AND they can be on opposite sides, especially when the person(s) involved in the fight are not listed as heirs and feel they should have been considered. Then the heirs (on paper) are forced to allow the sale of assets so they can absolve any debt, settle lawsuits, and ultimately obtain their inheritance if there is anything left. In some instances, they will have already received some sort of token momento prior to items hitting the
auction block, but often times not. The estate of the GFOS appears to be more complex than most, given the multiple managers and trustees in recent years, plus all the family feuding
and questions of legal marriage, whether he fathered children, and on and on.

Tried to get on Christie’s site all morning but couldn’t, and now when I can it appears that the auction is well underway –I wanted the funky caps which already fetched $2750, or the baby grand which looks to still be available, both a bit out of my range anyway!. Hopefully, Paul Allen or one of his representatives picked up some items to put on display at his joint in Seattle, ditto for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Black Radio Hall of Fame and the future Grammy Museum in the Nokia Entertainment complex in LA, so those who desire to view the items might have the opportunity! I really hope your bid for one of the JB jumpsuits wins (or won) so you can snap a pic and post. Or, maybe you’ll get the cape. If you wear it every day for the rest of your life, some of the folks in LA may catch a glimpse of it flapping in the wind when you go cruisin’ in your caddy.

RIP -
I have always wondered why people make this RIP comment in public and to people whom they don’t know in general, but especially when they didn’t personally know the individual who passed. Isn’t RIP kind of a weird expression anyway? Guess it is a matter of perspective and what you believe in. I happen to believe everyone will rest in peace once they pass, even those who deserve to be tormented!

What about LIP?
Why don’t we all try to Live In Peace while we’re alive? Wouldn’t the world be a wonderful place if we could do that? If we could truly overlook or ignore the small stuff, flash a smile to someone with a frown –whether you know them or not, show compassion. We could all make an effort not to squander our most valuable resource of all –time. Yes, easier said than done given there are so many distractions, obligations, responsibilities that suck it up. Admittedly, I struggle with
this all of the time. To state the obvious, once loved ones are gone, that’s it… no more time together, only memories.

This may seem morbid, but I actually read the obituaries regularly and have focused on the military section in recent years –shedding tears every time –the selflessness, the sacrifice that these men and women (many of whom are just kids) have made is impossible for me to grasp. Whether one
believes in the war or not, in a society where we shoot and kill our own members, treat the homeless and ill with so much disdain, and worship complete morons just because they get a big paycheck (rant for another time), it is utterly amazing that we actually have people in this country who go off and fight on our behalf.

You might be thinking, that’s dumb, how can one cry for someone they don’t know when they can’t get with the RIP comment. My tears are not for those who have passed, they are for the pain I feel for those left behind who will now struggle to LIP and go on with their daily routine knowing they will always feel for their loss, until they themselves pass. My tears are also selfish; not only do I feel sadness and emptiness for the loss of those who have died knowing we can never talk, hug, or laugh again, but also for the absence of those who have not died but are simply no longer in my life. Dealing with the idea that I may never see, talk or laugh with them again is depressing.

Oh and I would be remiss, not to mention that you know many people will give a damn when you’re gone. How could they not? My wish for all of your loved ones is that they have the opportunity to spend time with you; and for you, to continue to enjoy yourself and make the time for those all around you who really do care.

Everything comes back to our own experiences and beliefs, and trying to meld them with others so we can all LIP until we RIP.

Okay, my rant has finally come to the end.