The Truth About Nick Gordon and Whitney Houston’s Estate
Whitney Houston, the iconic singer and actress, passed away in February 2012, leaving behind an estate worth millions of dollars. But nearly a decade later, the fate of her fortune remains unclear. One question that has been circulating in recent years is whether her former partner, Nick Gordon, will inherit any portion of her estate.
History of Gordon and Houston’s Relationship
Gordon and Houston had a tumultuous relationship that was often at the forefront of the media. They began dating in 2011, shortly after Houston’s divorce from Bobby Brown, and lived together until Houston’s death the following year. Houston never legally adopted Gordon as her son, but it is widely believed that she viewed him as a member of her family.
Tragically, Gordon and Houston’s relationship was marred by substance abuse and allegations of domestic violence. After Houston’s death, Gordon was accused of foul play and was found civilly liable for her untimely demise.
The $36 Million Civil Judgment
Gordon was never criminally charged with Houston’s death, but a civil jury found him responsible for her wrongful death, awarding her estate $36 million in damages. As a result, Gordon was ordered to pay $36 million to Houston’s estate, which he has struggled to do, claiming he is unable to pay the full amount.
Will Gordon Inherit Any of Houston’s Estate?
Since the ruling, there have been rumors that Gordon may still be entitled to some portion of Houston’s estate, despite being found responsible for her death. Legal experts, however, say these rumors are simply not true.
According to Houston’s will, her assets were left to her daughter, Bobbi Kristina Brown, who tragically passed away in July 2015. Following Bobbi Kristina’s death, Houston’s estate was left to be divided among her family members, including Bobbi Kristina’s grandmother, Cissy Houston, and her uncles, Michael and Gary Houston.
Gordon was not mentioned in Houston’s will, and therefore has no legal right to any portion of her estate. Furthermore, the $36 million civil judgment against Gordon is a separate matter and does not impact Houston’s estate.
Legal experts say that even if Gordon were entitled to a portion of Houston’s estate, his responsibility for her wrongful death would almost certainly negate any possible inheritance. In other words, even if Gordon were legally entitled to inherit from Houston, any such inheritance would be offset by the damages owed to the estate.
It’s worth noting that the laws of inheritance can vary widely from state to state, and there may be some legal avenues that Gordon could pursue to claim a portion of Houston’s estate. However, attorneys familiar with the case say that these avenues are highly unlikely, given the substantial judgment against Gordon and his contentious relationship with Houston’s family.
Debunking Rumors
Despite these legal realities, rumors of Gordon’s supposed inheritance continue to circulate online, often fueled by tabloid speculation and unfounded rumors. However, the truth is far more straightforward: Gordon has no legal claim to Houston’s estate, and any inheritance he might receive would almost certainly be negated by the $36 million judgment against him.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, the fate of Whitney Houston’s estate remains a complicated and often fraught topic. Her death was a tragedy, leaving behind not only a towering legacy in the world of music and entertainment but also a complicated legal landscape. As those responsible for managing her estate continue to navigate these complex legal waters, Nick Gordon’s alleged inheritance is just one of many difficult questions that they will need to address in the years to come.