Another day of interesting estate-related stories.

As some in Congress continue efforts for the government takeover of the American health care industry, the New York Post had a great column yesterday once again highlighting the elder-hostile nature of the proposed “reforms.” Superficial explanations can and are being used, but they just don’t make sense when looking at common sense practicalities that question how a new entitlement program can insure up to 50 million new people while being deficit-neutral and not causing premiums or taxes to skyrocket.  And a system that dopes rather than proactively treats the elderly will undoubtedly contribute to a skyrocketing of estate abuse cases.

A story out of Italy pits an adopted brother and sister against each other over their parents’ fortune. At issue is whether the brother’s two children are eligible for a share of their grandparents’ estate as their gay father contracted for each child’s birth via a surrogate mother.  Italy has some new laws regarding these type situations and this will likely be a test case.  And that the brother and sister themselves have an interesting adoption tale adds another twist to the story.

Also just posted is another U.K. story describing how sibling rivalry can re-emerge with estate matters. It’s a good read.

Seeing Hulk Hogan on television last night with Larry King prompted some new thoughts on John Graziano, the young man now completely disabled due to injuries from a car wreck two years ago in which Hogan’s son was the driver.  It’s a tragic story, but also has a timely estate angle.  We’ll have more on this tomorrow.