Carley’s Corner – The Estate of Amy Winehouse

Amy Winehouse was a British singer-songwriter known for her soulful voice and raw, emotional lyrics. Born in 1983 in London, she rose to fame with her critically acclaimed album "Back to Black," which earned her multiple Grammy Awards. Winehouse's unique blend of jazz, R&B, and soul music captivated audiences worldwide, with her untimely passing in 2011 leaving a void in the music industry. Beyond her musical legacy, the handling of her estate has been a topic of discussion. In this blog, we delve into the intricacies of Amy Winehouse's estate and the lessons that can be learned. 

When Amy passed away at the age of 27, there were reports that she not only had a valid Will but had updated it to exclude her ex-husband Blake Fielder-Civil whom she had divorced in 2009. Unfortunately, these reports were incorrect, and there was no Will to be found. Probate was applied for in the UK, and the entirety of her estate, valued at roughly $4.66 million, ended up going to her parents following the succession laws.  

Amy was reportedly not close at all with her father throughout her lifetime and would have likely preferred others to inherit her estate such as her brother who instead inherited nothing. In 2019, more complications arose for the estate. Blake Fielder-Civil, Amy’s ex-husband, filed a lawsuit against the estate for $1.83 million, claiming that he was owed this money due to being married to Amy when her best-selling music was released. Nearly a decade after her death, the court agreed that he was due the funds and he won the $1.83 million dollar claim after a long and costly court battle. 

The big lesson that we can take away from the Estate of Amy Winehouse is that you are never too young to have a Will! Even if you don’t have millions, you likely have some financial accounts, digital accounts, personal belongings, and personal wishes that should be upheld after your passing. The only way that you can ensure your legacy is carried out according to your wishes is to have a valid Will and estate plan in place. 

At ETP Canada, we know that settling a loved one’s estate can be a challenging and overwhelming task to take on. We’re here to help ease the burden, and help you navigate your next steps. To book a consultation with a member of our team, click here.