The battle over Anne Heche’s estate kicked off Thursday after her ex James Tupper filed an objection to her 20-year-old son Homer Laffoon serving as the administrator.
Heche left behind two sons, 13-year-old Atlas Tupper, from her relationship with Tupper and Laffoon from her marriage to ex-husband Coley Laffoon. Her eldest son filed a petition last month claiming the actress did not leave behind a will and asked to be named executor.
Tupper alleges that Heche did have a will, and he was appointed the administrator. According to the court filings, Heche sent Tupper a will on Jan. 25, 2011, that explains what happens to her estate “in case I die tomorrow.”
“My wishes are that all of my assets go to the control of Mr. James Tupper to be used to raise my children and then given to the children,” she allegedly wrote.
Tupper also outlines the reasons why Laffoon is unfit to serve as the estate’s administrator, including that Heche and her son were estranged at the time of her death. Additionally, he says Laffoon is too young, lacks expertise, and is unemployed.
Tupper accuses Laffoon of cutting all contact with his younger brother and changing the locks on Heche’s apartment. Atlas has apparently reached out about clothing and computer he had at his mother’s home.
Tupper, who split from Heche in 2018, said the email was sent to him and entertainment attorney Kevin Yorn and his executive assistant. In the event of her death, she asked that email serve has her will until she filed formal paperwork. It appears that she never moved forward with an official filing.
Laffoon’s attorney, Bryan L. Phipps of Buchalter Law Firm, told People in a statement that they prefer to see the estate play out in court, not in the media.
“The court appointing Homer special administrator [on Thursday] supports that decision,” Phipps said.
Heche was declared legally dead on Aug. 12 under California law after spending a week in a coma following a car crash. She was kept on life support so her organs could be donated. She was officially taken off life support on Aug. 14.
