Lynne Mishele, the woman whose home was destroyed in Anne Heche’s fatal car crash, has objected to an estate accounting filed by the actress’s son, Homer Heche Laffoon.
Mishele’s legal team claims the probate process has been delayed despite an agreement in principle, and has questioned the handling of assets including diamond rings, bank funds and storage costs.
Mishele filed a $2 million creditor claim against Heche’s estate four years ago, saying she lost her belongings and suffered emotional distress as a result of the crash and fire.
Her lawyers allege that Laffoon’s accounting contains discrepancies. One part of the filing reportedly lists about $350,000 in available assets, while a separate schedule records total assets of $514,741.09 and cash of $141,658.79.
Questions over Anne Heche’s estate assets
The legal team is also seeking an explanation for the whereabouts of 10 engagement rings which Mishele says were gifts Heche received from her former partner, James Tupper, during their decade-long relationship.
They have further questioned whether Heche was entitled to any benefits or pension from SAG-AFTRA, as well as $11,300 in storage fees and an unpaid $8,725 IOU allegedly owed to the estate by Tupper.
Mishele’s lawyers also allege that funds in Laffoon’s bank account may have been mixed with estate money. They want a probate judge to reject his accounting and order the production of relevant bank records.
Mishele had previously disputed claims that her legal case had been settled, acknowledging that an agreement in principle had been reached but saying it could not be completed because Laffoon had not provided certain documents.
Heche died after suffering burn injuries and inhaling smoke following the crash. The raw material states that cocaine was found in her system at the time of the incident.
A court hearing on the estate dispute has been scheduled for December 1.
