Walt Disney's grandson has alleged that a California judge wrongly denied him his $200 million inheritance by falsely claiming he has Down syndrome. Walt Disney's grandson has been involved in a long and intense legal battle in attempts to prove that he is mentally capable.
"Bradford Lund, 50, asked the state's judicial watchdog to remove LA County Superior Court Judge David Cowan, for an alleged ethics violation during a probate hearing of the cartoon king's will, claiming: 'He's unsuited to be a judge'"
Bradford and his stepmother claim that Judge Cowan showed bias by siding with "hostile trustees." Last year, Judge Cowan allegedly stated in open court, "'Do I want to give 200 million dollars effectively to someone who may suffer from Down syndrome? The answer is no.'"
Walt Disney started his cartoon studio in 1923 and it eventually became an empire that is estimated to be worth $130 billion today.
Disney died in 1966, just a few years before his grandchildren were born. Disney left around $1.2 billion to his daughters and their heirs.
The family feud began after Bradford and his twin sister's mother Sharon died in 1993. Sharon left her portion of Disney to the twins when they turn 35 so long as three appointed trustees deem them mentally capable.
Bradford's attorney has claimed that Judge Cowan is unsuited to be a judge has he has previously shown 'bias' and 'personal animus.'
See Walt Disney's grandson heir demands 'biased' California judge is fired for denying his $200 million inheritance and falsely claiming he has Down syndrome, Daily Mail (U.K.), December 18, 2020.
Special thanks to Joel C. Dobris (Professor of Law, UC Davis School of Law) for bringing this article to my attention.
This article originally appeared on Wills, Trusts, & Estates Prog Blog.
