divorce

Anthony Bourdain and Estate Plans for Separated Spouses

Anthony Bourdain and Estate Plans for Separated Spouses

In the wake of celebrity chef and TV personality Anthony Bourdain's tragic death last week, many articles have been written about his complicated family situation, specifically that Bourdain and wife were permanently separated (but not divorced) at the time of his death.

Like death, divorce and separation are topics nobody likes to talk about. However, they have very different effects on an estate plan. In Anthony Bourdain's case, that leaves a host of estate planning issues unresolved — and millions of dollars up for grabs.

This blog post will discuss the impact of divorce and separation on estate planning, focusing on the following topics:

What is the difference between divorce and legal separation?

Why choose legal separation over divorce?

Can a spouse still inherit after a legal separation?

How can I protect my estate from a separation?