After O.J. Simpson’s recent passing, the executor of his estate, Malcolm LaVergne, has made it clear that he intends to prevent the payout of a $33.5 million judgment that was awarded in a wrongful death lawsuit filed nearly three decades ago. This judgment stemmed from a civil jury in California in a lawsuit filed by the families of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman. LaVergne, who has been Simpson’s lawyer since 2009, was named as the executor of Simpson’s estate in his will, which was filed in Clark County court in Nevada. The will revealed that Simpson’s property was placed into a trust that was created this year, indicating that the entirety of Simpson’s estate has yet to be fully accounted for.
According to Nevada law, an estate must go through the courts if its assets exceed $20,000, which is the case for Simpson’s estate. With Simpson having passed away without paying the majority of the civil judgment, his assets are now set to go through the court probate process. This means that the Goldman and Brown families, as the recipients of the civil judgment, are potentially entitled to a portion of Simpson’s remaining estate. However, LaVergne has made it clear that he will do everything in his power to ensure that the Goldman family receives nothing from Simpson’s estate.
LaVergne expressed his strong sentiments towards the Goldman family, particularly stemming from their actions surrounding Simpson’s planned book, “If I Did It.” Even though the Brown and Goldman families have been adamant about seeking payment for the civil judgment, LaVergne noted that there was never a court order compelling Simpson to make the payment. He emphasized that he would work tirelessly to prevent the Goldmans from receiving any proceeds from Simpson’s estate.
O.J. Simpson, who achieved fame and prosperity through football and the entertainment industry, faced a significant shift in his legacy following the tragic events of June 1994. The knife slayings of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and Ron Goldman forever altered the public’s perception of Simpson. While he was acquitted of criminal charges in 1995, the civil judgment loomed over his finances. With Simpson’s passing, the issue of true accountability has now come to a close, leaving the families of the victims to contend with the implications of his estate.
As Simpson’s estate is settled under the terms established by the trust created earlier this year, the Goldman and Brown families will be considered equal to other creditors. Given the circumstances surrounding the civil judgment, they may even have a stronger claim to Simpson’s remaining assets. The will explicitly outlines that any beneficiary seeking to challenge its provisions will receive only one dollar in lieu of any claimed interest in the will or its assets. This provision reinforces LaVergne’s stance on preventing the Goldman family from benefitting from Simpson’s estate.
Despite his previous fame and success, Simpson stated that he relied solely on his NFL and private pensions for his livelihood. Following the civil judgment, numerous valuable possessions were seized to satisfy the monetary award. Simpson was compelled to auction off his Heisman Trophy, which fetched $230,000. These financial struggles underscore the challenges he faced in upholding his financial responsibilities in the aftermath of the civil lawsuit judgment.
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