Homer Laffoon, the 23-year-old son of late actress Anne Heche, is working to sell his mother’s assets in order to settle $4.1 million in claims against her estate. Heche died on Aug. 11, 2022, when the car she was driving crashed into a Los Angeles home. Heche died without a will.
Homer Laffoon, Heche’s son with ex-husband, Coleman Laffoon, filed a petition on Aug. 31, 2022, to be appointed administrator of his mother’s estate. Heche’s ex-partner, James Tupper, had counter-petitioned to be the administrator. Tupper claimed Heche had sent him a copy of her will in 2011, and that Homer was not prepared to handle the duties of estate administrator. Tupper has a son from his relationship with Heche, Homer’s half-brother, Atlas Heche Tupper, a teenager. The court named Homer administrator in November 2022.
The Probate Case
Following Heche’s death her estate entered probate proceedings in Los Angeles Superior Court before Judges Lee R. Bogdanoff and Robert S. Wada (Heche, Anne Celeste – Decedent, No. 22STPB08683, California State, Los Angeles County, Superior Court).
The estate faces substantial financial claims totaling approximately $4.1 million. Claimant Lynne Mishele was the tenant of the home into which Heche crashed her vehicle. Mishele alleges negligence, trespass, and negligent infliction of emotional distress, and seeks $2 million. Jennifer and John Durand own the damaged property and also seek $2 million. Actor Thomas Jane seeks repayment of a $149,000 loan he claims he made to Heche. So far, Homer Laffoon reportedly has found only $290,000 in assets.
Conclusion
The probate proceedings and the resulting complexities of administering Anne Heche’s estate stress, once again, the importance of having a professionally crafted estate plan. Such a plan, including a trust, ensures a smoother process and efficient transfer of assets to beneficiaries. It also can address any outstanding claims and help avoid disputes like those seen in this case. Since there was not even a will, Homer Laffoon must follow a long and complicated path to bring his late mother’s estate to a close.
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