Buzz Aldrin walked on the moon. He was part of the Apollo 11 space mission. He is a national celebrity who has continually promoted space education and exploration. Asked what he thinks when he looks up, Aldrin said, “the moon I see now is the same moon I saw before. Except that before, when I looked at it, it was in anticipation of what it would be like when I got there. That’s behind me now.” An interesting quote; it contrasts the need to be both forward-looking and reflective. The same could be said about Aldrin’s estate planning.

Aldrin recently settled a lawsuit with two of his children and his former business manager. The complaint, filed in Florida state court, alleged that the defendants assumed access to Aldrin’s personal credit cards, bank accounts, trust money, space memorabilia and other property. It alleged that the defendants were self-dealing and that they established a de facto guardianship over Aldrin. The claims included breach of fiduciary duty, exploitation of the elderly, undue influence, conversion, conspiracy and others.