Epstein's Will Signed Two Days Before His Death; Estate Administration Begins
Two days before his death, Jeffrey Epstein signed a new will transferring his entire estate — valued at approximately $577 million — into the 1953 Trust. The will appointed Darren Indyke (his personal lawyer) and Richard Kahn (his accountant) as executors. The timing of the will's signing has been noted by analysts as significant — raising questions about whether Epstein anticipated his death or was advised to update estate documents as his legal situation deteriorated.
People Involved
The Will
On August 8, 2019 — two days before his death on August 10 — Epstein signed a new will in his cell at MCC:
- The will was witnessed by two individuals present at MCC
- It transferred his estate into the 1953 Trust (named for his birth year)
- It named Darren Indyke and Richard Kahn as executors
The Timing Controversy
The two-day gap between signing the will and his death attracted significant attention:
- Was Epstein advised to update his estate documents because defense lawyers believed the legal situation was serious?
- Was the timing coincidental — a routine estate planning update?
- Was the timing sinister — preparation for a planned death?
None of these interpretations has been definitively established. Updating estate documents when entering legal jeopardy is not unusual.
The Estate Value
The estate was valued at approximately $577 million, though the real value varied with asset valuations:
- Little Saint James island
- Great Saint James island
- Manhattan townhouse
- Palm Beach mansion
- Zorro Ranch
- Financial Trust Company assets
Estate Administration
The 1953 Trust and executors were responsible for:
- Administering the estate
- Defending civil claims
- Establishing the victims’ compensation program
- Liquidating assets
The USVI Registration
The trust was registered in the US Virgin Islands, which provided favorable estate administration terms.