Car Dealer's Mistress Ain't Down Yet

Remember when it looked like Anne Melican, mistress of Georgia car dealer Harvey Strother, might receive $6 million or more from his estate? The Georgia Supreme Court dashed that hope in 2009. Undaunted, Melican kept fighting. The Georgia court now rules she's entitled to $1.36 million, the proceeds from the sale of a condo Strother devised to her.

Anne Melican Loses

Harvey Strother died in 2004, leaving an estate valued at $37 million. Was his mistress entitled to $7,900 a month for life, plus real estate, under amendments Strother made to his will in 2000 and 2003? No, rules the Georgia Supreme Court in a 7-0 decision.

Family + Mistress = Endless Will Dispute

Almost forgot about Harvey Strother, the wealthy alcoholic, and Anne Melican, his mistress and (maybe) significant heir. H/T to Wills, Trusts & Estates Prof for calling attention to a renewal of the court battle.

Millionaire's Mistress Awarded $4.5 Million

A Cobb County jury awarded Anne Melican, Harvey Strother's mistress, most but not all of the $6 million she sought from his estate. It's not over until it's over: both Ms. Melican and Strother's kin have filed appeals.

If You Drink, Don't Change Your Will?

Remember The Case of the Millionaire's Mistress? Harvey Strother had an ultra-high net worth and a drinking problem. Now a jury will decide whether his mistress is entitled to most of his estate. According to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, high-priced legal talent is arguing the case.

The Case of the Millionaire's Mistress

From a story on the Atlanta Journal-Constitution web site:

Cobb County millionaire Harvey Strother had three weeks to live when his mistress wheeled him into his lawyer's office to change his will one last time.

Strother, 77 and fading fast, was drinking a gallon or more of wine a day, according to court testimony. The tortured alcoholic barely resembled the vibrant salesman who racked up a fortune with car dealerships in Cobb and south Georgia.

Anne Melican, his mistress of seven years, accompanied the wheelchair-bound Strother into the Naples, Fla., law office on Dec. 16, 2003. With an unsteady hand, Strother changed his will so Melican would be left with a South Florida property, plus a slip at a yacht club where they'd docked his boat, the Lady Anne. He also directed his estate to pay off the balance on a Cape Cod, Mass., condo he built for her.

It was the second time in six months Strother had amended his will and the third time in six years. All told, the changes left about $6 million of Strother's $37 million estate to Melican and her son, including $7,900 a month for Melican for the rest of her life and a $1.3 million Marco Island, Fla., condo.

Were these amendments the wishes of a sound mind and the product of Strother's desire to take care of Melican after his death? Or did Melican take advantage of an addled alcoholic, unduly influencing Strother to ensure she'd get millions?

The probate judge wants a jury to decide. The Melicans have appealed. Meanwhile, the AJC put the question to its readers in a poll. At this writing 38% vote to honor the will amendments; 62% oppose.