Harry Potter, the Deathly Hallows, and Dumbledore's Will (Minor Spoilers)
This was a Harry Potter weekend for my family -- taking our daughter to the festivities in and around Oak Park's Magic Tree Bookstore on Friday evening, and reading all 759 pages of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
When I last wrote about Harry Potter and probate, almost exactly two years ago (here), I disguised the identity of the decedent. I think by now everyone at all interested in the books knows that Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore died in Book 6, so I don't feel like I'm revealing too much by sharing that Chapter 7 of the Deathly Hallows is entitled "The Will of Albus Dumbledore." I won't disclose who the beneficiaries of Dumbledore's Will are, or what they inherit, but I do note the existence of the "Decree for Justifiable Confiscation," which gives "the Ministry [of Magic] the power to confiscate the contents of a [wizard's] will" in order to determine whether the wizard was attempting to pass on so-called "Dark artifacts." Apparently, the confiscation may only be done if there is "powerful" evidence that the deceased's possessions are illegal, and if the Ministry cannot produce such evidence within 30 days of the decedent's death, then the possessions must be turned over to the beneficiaries.
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