Aaron Hernandez, a former New England Patriots tight end, was involved in a series of legal and financial issues before and after his tragic death. The handling of his estate has been a subject of much discussion and controversy. Here's a detailed overview of what happened to Aaron Hernandez's estate based on the provided web search results.
Aaron Hernandez's Legal Troubles and Death
In 2013, Aaron Hernandez was arrested for the murder of Odin Lloyd, who was dating his fiancée's sister. During the trial for Lloyd's killing, evidence also implicated Hernandez in a 2012 double homicide in the Boston area. He was found guilty of murdering Lloyd but was acquitted in criminal court for the double homicide. After being convicted of murder in 2017, Hernandez committed suicide a few days later while in prison.
Legal Battles Over Hernandez's Estate
Following his death, legal battles arose over the handling of Aaron Hernandez's estate. The estate was described as having "no monies available and no identifiable personal assets". The estate was also facing three wrongful-death lawsuits and significant debt, including owing more than $100,000 in real estate taxes to the town of North Attleboro.
Trustee's Dispute with Fiancée
Shayanna Jenkins-Hernandez, Hernandez's fiancée, has been at the center of a court battle over the spending of money in a trust set up for their daughter, Avielle. The trustee of the fund, attorney David Schwartz, raised concerns over Jenkins-Hernandez's spending, including expenditures at luxury retailers, online shopping, and personal care, which he believed were not for the benefit of Avielle.
The trustee argued that Jenkins-Hernandez was already receiving significant funds outside the trust, including $150,000 a year or more from Hernandez’s NFL pension and Social Security, which were supposed to cover their daughter’s daily expenses. The trust, containing over $700,000, was intended to benefit Avielle until she reaches 25 years old.
Court Filings and Legal Disputes
Court filings revealed that Schwartz sought to suspend Jenkins-Hernandez's authority as conservator for Avielle due to what he described as "excessive" expenditures and failure to comply with the court's rules. In response, Jenkins-Hernandez sought to remove Schwartz as the trustee, asserting that he was attempting to "micromanage" her use of Avielle’s funds outside his purview as trustee.
Hernandez's Financial Situation
At the time of his death, Hernandez had a significant amount remaining on his contract with the Patriots, approximately $6 million. However, his estate was described as having minimal assets, with most of the funds being used to cover various debts and legal expenses.
Reinstatement of Murder Conviction
Furthermore, in a complex legal turn, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court reinstated Hernandez’s murder conviction despite his death, overturning the abatement rule that would have vacated the conviction due to his passing before completing the appeal process.
Implications for Estate Planning
The handling of Aaron Hernandez's estate serves as a stark example of the importance of estate planning and understanding the legal implications of one's financial and legal circumstances. Even without the extreme circumstances of a murder trial, changing life circumstances can lead to unintended consequences in estate management.
the aftermath of Aaron Hernandez's legal troubles and tragic death led to complex legal battles over his estate, involving significant financial and familial implications. The disputes over the handling of his estate have highlighted the importance of proper estate planning and understanding the intricacies of the legal system.
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