Possibilities Of Who Will Inherit Whitney Houston’s Estate

The death of Bobbi Kristina Brown is being investigated as a homicide, six months after she was found submerged in a bath tub. The true cause of her death is not the only question that her family has to deal with, however. When it’s all said and done, many are wondering who will inherit Whitney Houston’s estate. 

Whitney Houston left Bobbi Kristina her estate (valued at an estimated $20 million) in a trust fund when she died in 2012. Bobbi would receive 10% of Whitney’s estate when she turned 21 and 1/6 of the balance when she turned 25. Bobbi Kristina would receive all of the money when she turned 30.  Sadly, Bobbi Kristina passed away at just 22 years old. 

Here’s where things get complicated. Via USA Today

Since Bobbi Kristina died before she turned 30, who benefits?

Under the terms of the will, it goes to Cissy Houston, and Whitney’s two brothers. Cissy was named executor of the will but renounced the appointment, and a Georgia probate judge later named Whitney’s sister-in-law and manager, Marion (Pat) Houston, as the sole administrator of the estate.

What about her father?

Originally, Bobby Brown was listed as a beneficiary in the will, too, but he and Whitney divorced in 2007. Reisman says that means that generally Bobby Brown would not be entitled to any part of his ex-wife’s estate now that Bobbi Kristina has died. But, says Atlanta estate lawyer Bruce Gaynes, he would be entitled to whatever Bobbi Kristina has received so far from her mother’s will.

“For the purposes of Bobbi Kristina’s estate, he is the sole beneficiary, if she has no husband and if she has no will,” says Gaynes, of the Kitchens Kelley Gaynes firm.

Bobby Brown could seek to gain control of some or all of the Whitney millions in trust for his daughter, but “he would have to argue that in court and it would mean a lot of litigation,” Reisman adds.

What about the rights, if any, of Bobbi Kristina’s boyfriend, Nick Gordon? 

Bobbi Kristina claimed on social media that the two were “married.” If he can produce proof of this marriage, Reisman says, then he might be entitled.

“If they are married, in every state, assuming there is no (Bobbi Kristina) will, a husband has certain marital rights to a spouse’s estate, and absent a waiver or a pre-nup agreement, it’s almost impossible to prevent that spouse from obtaining a share, if not all, of an estate,” Reisman says.

But Bobby Brown insists Gordon was not married to his daughter, and so far, Gordon has not produced any proof.