What Can We Learn From a Spanish Duchess Brawl? Historical Archives and Legal Battles

LET’S GET READY TO RUMBLE!!
Good day, folks, and welcome to today’s estate match which promises to be a classic in every sense of the word! Today’s prize? The Archive of Medina-Sidonia, a collection of 6 million documents that span nearly a millennium of Spanish imperial history.

The Prize: Archive of Medina-Sidonia

Within its pages lie the secrets of the kings, dukes, and explorers of medieval Spain (spoiler alert: they docs tell who really discovered America and it may not be who you think). Said to be the most important privately held archive in Europe, it is valued at over $60 million, though historians consider it priceless. The Archives were inherited by Luisa Isabel Álvarez de Toledo (also known as the “Red Duchess”) from her husband’s estate.

Ding ding.

Contestant 1: Liliane Dahlmann

In this corner, we have Liliane Dahlmann, lover and longtime secretary, whom the Red Duchess married 11 hours before her death!! The marriage gave Liliane control of a palace as well as the coveted Archives and clear instructions that the Archives should pass to the “people” and should be on display. The Duchess devoted most of her living days to cataloging the Archives and partying hard (soirees!!) in the evenings (my kind’a gal!). She strongly believed that after her passing, the Archives should be made public and Liliane intends to preserve the Red Duchess’s desires.

Ding ding.

Contestant 2: The Red Duchess’s Children

And in this corner, we have the Red Duchess’s 3 children (and one surprise stepchild from her husband’s and a servant’s affair!) contesting the Red Duchess’s marriage, last will, and attempting to enforce the Spanish heritage laws that require kids to get at least 2/3 of their parents’ estates. As you can imagine, they consider the Archives to be their family legacy and want their inheritance, dangnabbit!

Ding ding.

Now, I want a good, clean fight between you guys. Nothing below the belt and good luck to you all while we discuss what we can learn from this match for eternal glory.

The Blow by Blow: Florida Laws on Disinheriting Children

In Florida, parents may explicitly exclude adult children from receiving an inheritance. One can exclude a child by simply not leaving them as a beneficiary on their accounts, deeds, or trusts or by clearly stating this intent in their will. Yessiree Bob, Florida law allows parents to disinherit adult children without providing a reason, as long as the documents are legal and free from undue influence or duress. However, if an asset doesn’t have a beneficiary and a valid will can’t be located, Florida’s intestacy laws govern, and children may inherit a portion of their parents’ estate.

So, there you have it, folks, we learn that a proper estate plan may be the only way to avoid a knock-out, drag-out heir fight and I’m sure more will come from the Red Duchess legacy spar. We have ringside seats.