Does Barbie Need a Will? © Cynthia Crofoot Rignanese, Esq. (2024)

The current blockbuster Barbie movie has an unusual Barbie line; during a girls’ disco party she inquires, “Do you guys ever think about dying?” Everyone stops dancing and the music goes silent, because the question is so unlike the happy, optimistic Barbie we know and love.

As an estate planning attorney, this line was priceless in bringing the important topic of planning for death to the Big Screen!

Who would receive the Barbie Dream House, her convertible, her Dream Plane and her extensive wardrobe, upon her death?

Barbie and Ken have been in a relationship for as long as we can remember; but as far as we know, they have never actually tied the knot and gotten married, nor had kids.

We have seen Barbie holding down at least 200 jobs over the years without ever seeing Ken do more than surfing… it could be said that Barbie has been maintaining Ken for 60 years!

She has been so busy over the years and has amassed a fortune with multiple houses, cars and the value of her personal brand. So, what does Barbie need to consider for her future planning to pass her assets and protect her loved ones?

I would tell her to do an estate plan, including writing a will and trust. This would include providing for her family, friends, loved ones, and any charities that she supports.

A Will or Trust would ensure that Barbie’s assets pass in accordance with her wishes. If Barbie was to say that she did not want to include Ken as a beneficiary, what would I tell her?

If she were a Florida resident, I would advise that ultimately, she can leave her assets to whomever she wishes; but she must be aware of the possibility that Ken would be very upset. She may wish to provide for Ken. She may want to be sure he has a home and money for surfboard wax.

If Barbie does not have a Will prepared, then she would die as “Intestate Barbie” and her Estate would be handled with in accordance with the Intestacy Laws, in which a specific order must be followed and is governed by statute. The legislature, not Barbie, would decide who inherits.

Following Florida’s Rules of Intestacy, Barbie’s parents, George and Margaret, would inherit her entire Estate; or if they had both died, her siblings -- Skipper, Stacey, and Chelsea, in equal shares.

If Barbie decided she wanted to leave an amount, let’s say 10% of her Estate, to Save the Children (a charity that she and the parent company, Mattel, have been donating to for years), then her estate would be entitled to a tax deduction for the gift.

Ultimately, Barbie should seek the expert advice from a lawyer to handle her planning. Although Mattel created a “Lawyer Barbie” and a “Legally Blonde Lawyer Barbie,” I would tell Barbie not to use a “Lawyer Barbie”. She should find an attorney specializing in estate planning in her state of residence; given the size of Barbie’s estate being worth millions of dollars, she should seek an attorney with expertise with similar clients over a period of at least ten (10) years.

Cynthia Crofoot Rignanese has been practicing law in Polk County for over 33 years. She has received numerous awards for her outstanding professional accomplishments and her estate planning at Rignanese & Associates, PLLC.

Please reach out to us at 141 5th Street NW, Suite 300, Winter Haven, Florida 33881 at 863.294.1114.