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.
Mr. & Mrs. Edwards were filthy rich. Mrs. Edwards died in a year when there was no federal estate tax; Mr. Edwards will die in a year with a marginal estate tax in the 35% - 55% range. Mrs. Edwards’ estate plan would has saved the children maybe $15 - $20 Million in federal estate taxes when compared to leaving everything to John.