How I Stumbled Onto This Crazy Inheritance Mess
So this morning I’m sipping coffee scrolling through news feeds like I always do. Saw this headline about Brooke Astor’s grandson and inheritance drama. Thought huh, rich people problems… but couldn’t shake my curiosity. Grabbed my laptop right there at the kitchen table.
First thing I did? Typed “Brooke Astor will” into the search bar. Tons of articles popped up from like 2007-2009. Started skimming court case summaries – man, those legal docs are dry. Almost gave up until I spotted this New York Times piece calling it a “battle royal.” That’s when I got hooked.
Digging Through Old Court Drama
Pulled up actual court documents next. Took forever to find the will details buried in PDFs. Read how her son Anthony got cut out completely. Wild stuff! Then my eyes landed on grandson Philip Marshall’s name. Almost spat out my coffee.
- Shocker #1: Found out Brooke changed her will TWICE near the end. Her mind was supposedly failing. Sketchy.
- Shocker #2: Phil sued his own dad Anthony! Accused him of stealing from Brooke’s estate while she was still alive. Cold.
- Shocker #3: Settlement details showed Phil got MILLIONS… but Anthony got convicted of fraud later. Justice served? Kinda.
Kept hitting paywalls trying to see exact numbers. Felt like a dog chasing its tail until I remembered local papers might’ve covered it cheaper. Searched “Phil Marshall Astor inheritance” with “site:.edu” to find academic journals. Bingo! Georgetown Law had a case study breakdown.
The final number floored me: Records showed Phil walked away with over $14.6 million after years of lawsuits. Meanwhile charities got stiffed. What a mess.
Why This Story Sticks With Me
Closed my laptop feeling weirdly drained. Thought about how money turns families into hyenas. Spent lunch just staring at my sandwich wondering – if I had millions, would my kids pull this crap? Scary thought. Not exactly the feel-good research I expected today.
