The Probate Matter Has Concluded
Brandi Booth and Brixton Berman
I have been formally recognized by the probate court as Executor of Jeremy’s estate, sole beneficiary, and successor to his business interests. The probate matter in Riverside County (Case No. PRIN2300822) has officially concluded.
It is important to clarify that Jeremy’s Will was properly signed, witnessed, and notarized, and had already been properly filed before the opposing party’s challenge to it. Those who know me personally or professionally are aware that I approach responsibilities with diligence and timeliness.
For six months prior to Jeremy’s passing, I served as his primary caregiver and witnessed his significant medical decline. Brixton and I were present when Jeremy took his final breath. The emotional and psychological impact of that experience was substantial. I sought reasonable time to grieve, process these events, and support our daughter during an extraordinarily difficult period.
When he was alive, I was Jeremy’s Durable Power of Attorney and healthcare agent under his advance directive. Jeremy and I were together for 16 years. Jeremy and I shared a home, financial responsibilities, and raised our daughter together. Our partnership was deeply committed, and our lives were fully intertwined. Losing Jeremy was devastating.
In the days immediately following Jeremy’s passing, I was contacted by the opposing party about matters relating to Jeremy’s business. Allegations were raised that, in my view, did not accurately reflect the circumstances.
Within a short period of time, the matter was escalated against me from opposing legal counsel and they even engaged law enforcement. At that time, I was simultaneously navigating profound grief and trauma. I felt vulnerable and subjected to overwhelming pressure. I needed to grieve, but I was not given the space I asked for.
For example, I was advised by my legal counsel that Jeremy’s estate would qualify for a simplified probate process due to its smaller size. Instead, the matter became a lengthy probate proceeding that lasted far longer than expected because the opposing party decided to challenge Jeremy’s Will.
After extensive proceedings that spanned nearly three years, Jeremy’s signed, witnessed and notarized Will was upheld. I am very grateful to my legal team for helping achieve this successful outcome that honored Jeremy’s final wishes.
The probate chapter has now ended, but an ongoing civil case initiated by the same opposing party against me continues. These lawsuits are incredibly expensive. Legal costs associated with Jeremy’s probate case approached six figures. In addition, civil litigation expenses are expected to be substantial as the case proceeds toward trial and are estimated to exceed $200,000. Due to legal expenses, I felt like I had to give up my California dream in order to defend Jeremy’s estate. I had to sell our home in California and relocate out of state to live somewhere with a lower cost of living.
Although the challenges persist, I will not give in to what I perceive as pressure, and I will never stop fighting for Jeremy. Recently, my attorney filed a request seeking court approval to file a cross-complaint against the opposing party in this matter. Although I can’t share full details related to the pending litigation, court records are publicly available for those who wish to review developments directly.
I believe in transparency and keeping Jeremy’s memory at the forefront.
Love, Brandi and Brixton ❤️
