What Jim Morrison’s “Simple Will” Teaches Us About Estate Planning

When Jim Morrison died in 1971, he left a will naming one primary beneficiary (his girlfriend, Pamela Courson) and a secondary group (his siblings) if she didn’t survive him. But here’s the catch: when that primary beneficiary died three years later, his estate didn’t go to his siblings — it ended up with her parents. Why? Because Morrison’s will assumed the secondary beneficiaries would automatically step in if the primary beneficiary didn’t outlive him — but that’s not how the law works. Instead, since Pamela did not have estate planning in place, the intestate laws took over and her share went to her parents. And this led to litigation between Courson's and Morrison's parents that ended in a settlement.

That “simple will” mistake is more common than you might think. If you’re planning now — don’t let your legacy be derailed by assumptions.

✅ Tips to Avoid the “Simple Will” Trap

1. Anticipate multiple “what-ifs.”
   Don’t just ask, “If my first beneficiary is gone, who gets it next?” Also ask: What if the beneficiary survives me but then later changes their mind or dies?
2. Use contingent or backup beneficiaries properly.
   Instead of just naming “if X is gone, pass it to Y,” make contingent designations explicit. E.g. “If A is alive, give to A; if A is not alive, give to B; if B is not alive, give to C.”
3. Consider trusts instead of only a simple will.
   A trust can preserve your intent even if a beneficiary later acts contrary to your wishes (e.g. by changing their own will).
4. Regularly review & update your estate plan.
   Life changes: divorces, remarriages, births, deaths, illnesses. These can all affect whether your named beneficiaries are still the ones you’d want.
5. Don’t leave room for ambiguity.
   Ambiguous or vague language invites disputes or unintended results. Let your attorney help you use precise, legally effective wording.
6. Discuss your intentions with beneficiaries.
   Let people know what you intend — it helps manage expectations and reduces surprises (and fights).

💡 Bottom line: A “simple will” can seem straightforward, but if it doesn’t cover the full range of possibilities, your wishes may not survive the unexpected. Make sure your estate plan is robust enough to handle the what-ifs.

If you’d like help reviewing or tightening up your estate plan to avoid surprises like the Morrison case — I’d be happy to walk you through it. Book a call today.