1:05:03
No, l don't need my own.
l'll just breathe the air.
1:05:14
HARDlN:
Everything's in order to there.
1:05:16
The problem comes in the language
of the bequest to Heather.
1:05:19
lt's a technical matter.
1:05:21
ln writing the will, Mr. Racine
violated what's known as. . .
1:05:24
. . . ''the rule against perpetuities. ''
1:05:27
lt forbids an inheritance to be passed
down indefinitely for generations.
1:05:31
l knew that a probate judge in Miami
would spot the mistake right away. . .
1:05:35
. . .so l thought l'd bring it up here,
since Edmund had the residence here. . .
1:05:40
. . .and see if l could get a judge
who didn't know estate law as well.
1:05:44
Perhaps find one with the same
kind of training as Mr. Racine.
1:05:48
Unfortunately, my plan backfired.
1:05:51
l ran into a judge who had
other dealings with Mr. Racine. . .
1:05:56
. . .a Judge Costanza.
1:05:58
lt seems there were problems
with an estate in a case 4 years ago.
1:06:01
Very different problems,
it's true. . .
1:06:03
. . .but on a will that Mr. Racine
prepared. lt was quite a mess.
1:06:07
Accusations of carelessness and
malpractice. lt was the Gourson case.
1:06:11
LOWENSTElN:
Gourson.
1:06:14
Once again, Mr Hardin,
you've lost me.
1:06:17
Yes, what does this all mean?
1:06:19
HARDlN:
lt means that Edmund's will is invalid.
1:06:22
Edmund Walker died intestate,
as though there were no will at all.
1:06:27
So what happens now?
1:06:29
HARDlN:
You don't know?
1:06:32
No, l don't.
1:06:33
Perhaps Mr. Racine
would like to tell you.
1:06:39
ln Florida,
when a person dies without a will. . .
1:06:42
. . .and with no children
or surviving parents. . .
1:06:48
. . .then the spouse
inherits everything.
1:06:53
My God!
1:06:56
You mean
it's all mine?
1:06:58
Though that was clearly
not your husband's intention.