Anne Heche's Estate Unable to Pay $6 Million in Debts, Son Claims in Court Filing

Anne Heche's estate is insolvent and unable to pay over $6 million in claims filed for damages caused by the actress's deadly car crash in August 2022, according to new court documents filed by her son Homer Laffoon. Laffoon, who serves as the administrator of Heche's estate, reported that the total assets tallied so far only amount to approximately $110,000, far short of the pending debts.

The estate consists of a modest bank account, royalty payments, and other residual income from Heche's pre-death projects, as well as a corporation, an LLC membership interest, and some personal belongings. However, many of these assets are still being appraised. Laffoon also noted that sales for Heche's posthumous memoir Call Me Anne have not been strong, with an estimated total income of less than $25,000.

Seven creditors have filed claims against the estate, with three seeking $2 million each. These include the owners of the home Heche crashed into, which was severely damaged in the accident, and the tenant renting the property at the time, who lost many of her belongings. Heche's ex-partner, actor Thomas Jane, is also among the creditors, seeking $149,106.04 in loan repayment.

Why this matters: The insolvency of Anne Heche's estate highlights the complex legal and financial issues that can arise in the aftermath of a high-profile celebrity's untimely passing. The case also underscores the importance of proper estate planning to ensure that debts can be settled and assets distributed according to the deceased's wishes.

Laffoon stated that he is actively engaged in attempts to negotiate appropriate settlements with the creditors and is "cautiously optimistic the creditor claims can all be resolved fairly and without litigation." An estate sale is being planned to help resolve the claims, which Laffoon anticipates will be settled by August 2024. The court filing indicates that Heche's estate may not be closed until at least July 2025 due to its inability to pay back the pending charges.

Key Takeaways

• Anne Heche's estate is insolvent, unable to pay over $6M in claims from her fatal car crash.
• The estate's total assets are only around $110,000, far short of the $6M in pending debts.
• Seven creditors have filed claims, including the home owners and Heche's ex-partner Thomas Jane.
• An estate sale is planned to help resolve the claims, which may take until July 2025 to settle.
• The case highlights the importance of proper estate planning to ensure debts can be paid.