While many wills do not contain much in the way of details, some wills tell a lot about a person.  Some wills even shed light about what is and what is not acceptable in a given society.

In California probate courts – it really does not matter whether it is in Los Angeles County, Orange County, San Bernardino County, Riverside County, or anywhere else in the state – a large percentage of probates involve either pourover wills or do not involve a Will. 

I recently came across an article on Tony Ryan’s will.  Mr. Ryan was the founder of Ryanair which is a European version of the United States’ Southwest Airlines.  His will disposed of 95 million euros (currently $135,830,000 dollars) – which was only a fraction of his wealth as the majority of it was in discretionary trusts for his children and grandchildren.   He provided 20 million euros ($28,600,000) to his estranged wife and 6 million euros  ($8,580,000)to his final lover, Martine Head.  The article makes a point of noting that none of his other well-known lovers are mentioned in his will, which was lodged last week in Dublin’s Probate Office.

Ms. Head is the daughter of a prominent horse trainer and lived with him at his estate during his illness. Prior to his relationship with Ms. Head he was also involved with other well-known women in Dublin including Lady Miranda Iveagh.

I am not sure if this was specified in his will or his trust, but his funeral service included “a fly-past by three aircraft, and a memorial at Lyons, cost over $700,000 in American dollars.