In estate planning, the term “Cestui Que” (pronounced sess-twee kay) refers to the beneficiary of a trust or insurance policy. While it may sound like legal jargon from another era, this centuries-old concept sits at the heart of one of the most controversial estate cases in recent memory.
At the center of the storm is Luigi Mangione, an Ivy League graduate and the reported beneficiary of his grandmother’s multi-million-dollar estate, until a carefully worded clause may have changed everything.
A Grandmother’s Estate Plan in Action
Mary C. Mangione, a well-known philanthropist and matriarch of a wealthy family, left behind an estate valued between $30 million and $100 million, to be divided among her ten children and grandchildren. But Mary’s will included a critical stipulation: any beneficiary involved in serious criminal activity, particularly felonies or violent crimes, would be disqualified from receiving their inheritance.
Now, that clause is being tested as Luigi Mangione faces murder charges in connection with the death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Though Mangione’s legal team maintains his innocence, the estate’s trustees, one of whom is his father, appear to be enforcing the disinheritance clause outlined in Mary’s will.
What This Means for Your Estate Plan
While the Mangione case is dramatic, it offers important estate planning lessons that apply to families of all backgrounds, not just those with vast wealth.
1. Moral and Legal Clauses Can Protect Your Legacy
By including clear criteria for disqualification, such as involvement in criminal activity, you can ensure your estate is distributed in line with your values.
2. The Role of the Trustee Is Critical
Choosing a trustee you trust, whether a family member or a professional fiduciary, ensures your wishes are honored, even in the most challenging circumstances.
3. Legal Challenges Are Possible
If Mangione is acquitted, he may contest the enforcement of the clause. This underscores the importance of airtight legal language and proper documentation.
4. Estate Planning Goes Beyond Money
Mary Mangione didn’t just aim to transfer wealth, she sought to protect her family’s reputation and set moral boundaries. Your estate plan can, and should, reflect your values just as much as your financial goals.
Is Your Estate Plan Built to Withstand the Unexpected?
Mary C. Mangione’s story shows the power of thoughtful, value-driven estate planning. Her decision to include a moral clause and appoint trusted individuals as enforcers, ensured her estate would be handled exactly as she intended, no matter how controversial or complicated the situation became.
If you’re unsure whether your own estate plan includes these kinds of safeguards, now is the time to act.
Contact the Estate Planning Law Center today to review your will or trust. Let us help you build an estate plan that not only protects your assets but upholds your values: no matter what the future brings.
