Immortality and the law : the rising power of the American dead / Ray D. Madoff.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Madoff, Ray D.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Estate planning--United States.

Estate planning.

Perpetuities--United States.

Perpetuities.

Defamation of the dead--United States.

Defamation of the dead.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (224 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

New Haven : Yale University Press, c2010.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

This book takes a riveting look at how the law responds to that distinctly American dream of immortality. While American law provides virtually no protections for the interests we hold most dear-our bodies and our reputations-when it comes to property interests, the American dead have greater control than anywhere else in the world. Moreover, these rights are growing daily. From grave robbery to Elvis impersonators, Madoff shows how the law of the dead has a direct impact on how we live. Madoff examines how the rising power of the American dead enables the deceased to exert control over their wealth forever through grandiose schemes like "dynasty trusts" and perpetual private charitable foundations and to control their creative works and identities well into the unforeseeable future. Madoff explores how the law of the dead can, in essence, extend the reach of life by granting virtual immortality to individuals. All of this comes, Madoff contends, at real costs imposed on the living.

Contents:

Controlling the body

Controlling property (part 1) : transfers to people

Controlling property (part 2) : transfers for charitable or other purposes

Controlling reputation.

Notes:

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

0-300-16327-4

OCLC:

808346506