It is never too early for an adult to execute a will. There are many situations which can unexpectedly take us from this world and those who fail to engage in proper estate planning have no say over their legacy.

Author Stieg Larsson died before he was able to see his first novel, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, published. Three of his novels were published posthumously and have sold around 50 million copies worldwide. The movie rights to the books were sold and made into a series of Swedish movies that were so popular that Hollywood studios fought over the rights to remake the films. Unfortunately, Larsson's common-law wife of 32 years was unable to share in any of his posthumous success because Larsson failed to execute a will.

Larsson's estate is run by his father and brother, whom the common-law wife says he was estranged from. It is likely that Larsson wouldn't have wanted them to run his affairs, but his failure to execute a simple will left him with no way to direct his affairs after he died.

The lack of a will may have been this crime novelist's most dramatic creation however. It turns out that he jointly owned a computer with his common-law wife. That computer contains his fourth novel, which the estate understandably wants control over. The common-law wife wants control over Larsson's literary interests and says that the fourth novel is not for sale until this happens. The estate administrators will likely never give up this cash cow, and what has ensued is a lengthy and ugly public relations fight which shows no sign of ending.

Source: Trial and Heirs, "The Author who played with Fire," Danielle and Andy Mayoras, Jan. 28, 2012