Celebrity Estate Plans Series Part 4 of 4: Elvis and the Scammers

For the last few weeks, we’ve discussed celebrities and how they planned for their deaths. We started with the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, so ending our 4-part series with the King of Rock, Elvis Presley, seems fitting.?

Why discuss a man who’s been deceased since 1977? A recent case involving Graceland serves as a stark reminder of the audacity of scammers. This case is a wake-up call for property owners and potential heirs. Let’s delve into this unusual tale to understand how you can assert control over your assets and protect them from unscrupulous actors.

How It Went Down

You might think that a well-known property like Graceland would be untouchable, but that didn't stop a mysterious company from trying to steal it. A group calling itself Naussany Investments and Private Lending claimed that Graceland's owners owed them millions from an old loan. They even set a date to auction the property to the highest bidder. But there was just one problem – the whole thing was a scam.

Riley Keough, Elvis's granddaughter and the current owner of Graceland, quickly fought back. She filed a lawsuit, saying her mother, Lisa Marie Presley, never borrowed money from this company or put Graceland up as collateral. The courts agreed, stopping the sale just in time. Keough’s swift action got the attention of the Tennessee Attorney General’s office, which then turned over the case to the FBI, and a federal investigation is pending.

Unfortunately, there’s been a rise in these types of scams, and they aren’t just targeted at the rich and famous. Scammers can take advantage of those who have never had a top-10 hit. A Wall Street Journal article published on June 3, 2024, breaks down a typical scenario, which is on point:

“Here’s how it works: A fraudster targets your house and assumes your identity, using tactics similar to identity thieves to acquire your personal information and create fake IDs. He or she then tries to sell it to an unsuspecting buyer by executing a forged deed in your name. An alternative scam is to submit a mortgage application in your name to get cash out of the house.”

Often, people don’t find out this has happened until the sale is complete, and by then, it may be too late to get the property back—or at least it would be very time-consuming and costly. Some people cannot fight back because they don’t have the financial resources to do so, and the results can be utterly heartbreaking.

If it can happen to Graceland, it can happen to anyone. So, how can you identify these scams before they escalate? The key is knowledge. Equip yourself with the right information to spot these scams before they become a threat.

Red Flags You Can’t Ignore

When you're dealing with property, loans, and estate planning, keep your eyes peeled for these warning signs:

Paperwork problems: The documents in the Graceland case had many issues. The dates didn't match up, the signatures looked fishy, and the notary said she never met Lisa Marie Presley. Always read the fine print and question anything that looks off. You should also consult with a lawyer immediately if you suspect something fishy. A lawyer can confirm your suspicions and help you take action right away.?

Ghost companies: According to the news articles, Naussany Investments was hard to pin down. They had no actual address, just P.O. boxes, and weren't registered as a business anywhere. Do your homework before you deal with any company, especially for something as important as a loan. Look them up online, check with the Better Business Bureau, and be bold and ask probing questions.

Timing: The scammers waited until after Lisa Marie Presley passed away to make their move. Be extra cautious about any claims against a deceased person's estate – fraudsters often target families when they're most vulnerable.?

Steps You Can Take to Protect Yourself

Understand that you can take proactive steps to safeguard yourself and your loved ones before any warning signs appear. Here are some practical measures to ensure the protection of your property.

Keep good records: Make sure all your important documents are organized and easy to find. This includes property deeds, mortgage papers, and any loans you've taken out. If someone makes a false claim, you'll have the proof to fight back as quickly as Riley did. Regular review and updates of these documents are crucial.

Be skeptical: It is if something sounds too good to be true. Be wary of unsolicited offers or demands, especially if they come with pressure to act quickly.?

Stay in the loop: If you're inheriting or managing property for someone else, know what's happening. Are the taxes paid? Is there a mortgage? The more you know, the harder it is for scammers to pull a fast one. Riley Keough was able to take action quickly enough to stop the sale because she was paying attention.?

You also want to make sure someone else is paying attention to your affairs in case you become incapacitated. In last week’s article, we discussed what can happen if you become incapacitated and you haven’t planned for it. If you missed it, here’s a sneak peek: it took months for Jay Leno to be able to manage his wife’s financial affairs once she was unable to herself. And as we’ve seen with the Graceland case, months could mean the difference between keeping your property and losing it. If you haven’t planned for your incapacity, book a call with me using the scheduling link below, and let’s talk about how we can get that taken care of for you.

This brings us to the most important thing you can do to protect yourself. Incapacity planning isn’t enough. You need a solid and thorough Life & Legacy Plan.

A Solid Estate Plan is the Key

A solid estate plan creates a legal framework that's much harder for fraudsters to penetrate. The type of planning I do, called Life & Legacy Planning?, is solid and thorough. It covers all possible scenarios so you and your family are prepared for anything that can happen after your death or during your incapacity. It includes an inventory of all your properties and other assets, so you know exactly what you have, and your loved ones will also know if they need to step in and help. A Life & Legacy Plan also includes regular reviews and updates so your plan stays current with changing laws and circumstances, closing potential loopholes that scammers might exploit.?

Finally, we can help you ensure your loved ones are aware of these risks and familiar with your estate plan. As we’ve learned from Elvis’s estate, the more eyes watching out for fraud, the better.

How We Help You Not Fall Victim to a Scam

Scams are rising, and the best time to protect yourself is now. We help you create a Life & Legacy Plan so that your loved ones stay out of court and conflict and have a plan that works when you (and they) need it to. Once you’ve created your plan, you can rest easy knowing your wishes will be honored, your loved ones cared for, and your property protected.?

Schedule a complimentary 15-minute consultation to learn more.?

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This article is a service of Will Stafford, a Personal Family Lawyer? Firm. We don’t just draft documents; we ensure you make informed and empowered decisions about life and death, for yourself and the people you love. That's why we offer a Family Wealth Planning Session?, during which you will get more financially organized than you’ve ever been before and make all the best choices for the people you love.?

The content is sourced from Personal Family Lawyer? for use by Personal Family Lawyer? firms, a source believed to be providing accurate information. This material was created for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as ERISA, tax, legal, or investment advice. If you are seeking legal advice specific to your needs, such advice services must be obtained on your own separate from this educational material.