Quote:
Originally Posted by rogue_librarian
Of course he could (and should) have simply willed it to her... All that it takes in most jurisdictions is a piece of paper and half an hour of your time.
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The books didn't take off until after his death -- they hadn't realized he would become an international bestseller. The bulk of the profits have accrued to his estate, which she doesn't have a legal right over -- his family does. They have disenfranchised her, apparently out of greed. It's a rather sad story.
Most people don't will "all profits after my death that are accrued as my intellectual property" specifically to someone because they don't really expect to be a posthumous hit author.