[Mr. Lucky]

This story makes for sensational headlines, but sounds wholly made up. North Carolina law allows a surviving spouse to claim a spousal share regardless of what the will may have provided and, as an attorney, Elizabeth Edwards certainly knew this.

There was a perfectly obvious reason for Mrs. Edwards to have bequeathed her estate directly to her children and it would have met with her husband's complete co-operation.

[Larry Lucido]

This story makes for sensational headlines, but sounds wholly made up.

Agreed. And even if the facts are accurate, the gossip columnists conclusions are likely way off. There are perfectly valid reasons to omit a certain heir, and Mr. Edwards may well have agreed to this draft, and have been perfectly willing NOT to exercise his spousal election at probate.

Again, I can't believe I'm defending this family, but here I am.