Episode 45

Host: Jill Mastroianni

Can you Inherit from Someone You Killed (or Tried to Kill)?

In this episode, Jill explores one of the most fascinating intersections of true crime and estate law: the slayer statute. She dives into a real 2025 Michigan Court of Appeals case involving a trust, an unexpected beneficiary, an alleged murder-for-hire plot, and two deaths by natural causes. The big question: Can you inherit from someone you planned—but failed—to kill? The answer reveals just how narrow the slayer statute really is and why understanding your estate plan matters more than you think.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

  • The Case Background

    • The trust Donald created just 10 days before his death — classic death-bed planning.

    • Why Elaine and Donnie tried to terminate the trust only months later.

    Red Flags in the Trust Administration

    • How the trustee, Michael, not a family member, was also a future beneficiary.

    • The unusually fast removal of Michael as trustee by the probate court.

    • Why the probate court denied Elaine’s request to unwind the transfers to the trust.

    The Alleged Murder-for-Hire Plot

    • Daniel’s claim to be Donald’s illegitimate son and his accusation that Michael offered him $400,000 to kill Elaine and Donnie.

    • Daniel’s testimony, his sudden death, and how the loss of the key witness led prosecutors to dismiss the charges.

    How the Slayer Statute Works (and Doesn’t Work)

    • Michigan’s rule: only those who feloniously and intentionally kill the decedent are barred from inheriting.

    • Why attempted murder, solicitation, conspiracy, or planning does not trigger the statute.

    Big Lessons for Listeners

    Rushed or unclear estate planning invites confusion, litigation, and unintended beneficiaries.

Resources & Links

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Next

Episode 44: Avoiding the Hidden Tax Trap in Lifetime Gifts