that the cremated ashes of Scott Wilson cannot be divided between his parents, Lili Wilson and William Wilson. Each has a Boca Raton attorney—Amy Beller for Lili Wilson, Joy Bartman for William Wilson.
The Wilsons’ son, Scott Wilson, was killed four years ago at age 23 when Wellington polo club owner John Goodman’s Bentley rammed his car. Goodman’s second trial on charges of DUI manslaughter and failing to render aid starts Oct. 6. Goodman was convicted in 2012 and sentenced to 16 years, but the judge ordered a new trial because of juror misconduct.
Lili and William Wilson divorced before their son’s death. They sued Goodman, and got $46 million, which they split. As the probate judge and now the appeals court have ruled, however, cremated remains cannot be divided so easily. Lili Wilson wants to bury the ashes here. William Wilson wants to bury them in Georgia, and asked the courts to rule that he get his. . .share.
The appellate court’s ruling should settle the legal question. Why this issue got into the courts in the first place is the real question.
You can email Randy Schultz at firstname.lastname@example.org
About the Author
Randy Schultz was born in Hartford, Conn., and graduated from the University of Tennessee in 1974. He has lived in South Florida since then, and in Boca Raton since 1985. Schultz spent nearly 40 years in daily journalism at the Miami Herald and Palm Beach Post, most recently as editorial page editor at the Post. His wife, Shelley, is director of The Learning Network at Pine Crest School. His son, an attorney, and daughter-in-law and three grandchildren also live in Boca Raton. His daughter is a veterinarian who lives in Baltimore.