Info@asquithlegal.com.au
+61 (02) 4208 0403
The American artist, poet and academic Harriet Schorr put it quite plainly, ‘Dead artists leave two bodies: their own, and a body of work’. While it may seem natural to leave instructions to family in a will, artists should also deal with the important question of what will happen to their works.
Even if you don’t currently consider your works to be ‘high value’, this may change over the course of your lifetime and beyond. There are many famous examples of artists whose work became valuable either later in life or posthumously. Van Gogh sold only one painting in his lifetime. Photographer Vivian Maier hid her photographs. When the photos were discovered after her death, they were considered very valuable and rights to her work were subject to litigation.
No matter the ‘market value’ of your work, typically, an artist’s family and beneficiaries will feel a strong sense of duty that an artist should be remembered in the ‘right way’. Working out what that looks like requires careful thought. Your family and loved ones will appreciate your help in leaving instructions about your works in the event of your death.
When an artist dies, the work they have produced in a lifetime form a tangible and emotional legacy. When making any estate plan, you should ask yourself:
An artist’s estate plan, however, has important additional considerations. As an artist, you also need to consider whether:
Leaving a well-designed estate plan, will make the life of those one that you leave behind much easier. Family will not need to try to figure out your wishes but just follow them. This will reduce the risk of conflict in one’s family. An estate
Estate planning is more than preparing a will. It gives you the opportunity to determine what should happen to your works (and other assets) when you die and who will be the responsible person who administers your estate. Estate planning also gives you the opportunity to minimise the risk of claims against your estate.
Asquith Legal can help artists with their estate planning needs. We would love to work with you.
In the meantime, here are some key steps you can take yourself:
Wills
Testamentary trusts
Blended family estate planning
Minor beneficiaries
Overseas beneficiaries
International assets
International beneficiaries
Superannuation
Estate assets
Binding death nomination
International estate planning
Probate
Letters of administration
Collecting assets
Advising executors
Overseas shares
Overseas bank accounts
Medallion signature
Tax
Superannuation
Family provision claims
Wills disputes
German probate
Certificate of inheritance
Dual citizenship
Double taxation agreement
Social security agreement (pension)
German law