Battle over Coleman estate not over

Behind the Scenes

By Antracia Merrill-Moorings

Common Law?: Despite their marriage being legally over at the time of Gary Coleman’s death in May, Shannon Price is insisting that she was his commonlaw wife. Price’s Provo-based attorney, Todd Bradford, has filed a petition in a Utah court seeking to have their twisted union declared a common-law marriage, which indeed would pave the way for his client to take control of Coleman’s assets. Utah’s common-law marriage statute requires that “both parties are of legal marriage age and are able to give consent… Both parties are capable of being married… The parties live(d) together as man and wife… The parties assume(d) marital responsibilities and duties… [and] The parties “held themselves out” as husband and wife, and others perceive(d) them to be married.” “If you look at the common-law statute, the main element is that did they hold themselves out to the public as a married couple,” Bradford told E! News. “They had joint bank accounts. For the last three years they filed taxes as ‘married filing jointly.’ Gary this year filed for Social Security and disability and on both those applications he stated, ‘I am married to Shannon Price.’ And their neighbors all believe they were married… They had a lot to prove they had held themselves out to being a married couple.” Price married Coleman in August 2007, but the two secretly got divorced in 2008, citing irreconcilable differences. In the eyes of the law, that means the 2005 will, which leaves the whole of his estate to Gray, would supercede the 2007 handwritten codicil naming Price the sole beneficiary. But despite their union going bust, Coleman and Price lived together right up until his May 28 death from a brain hemorrhage.

Clearing The Confusion: Contrary to online reports, singer Mary J. Blige will not be attending Howard University this fall, her rep tells UsMagazine.com exclusively. “Howard University came to her and expressed interest in having her as a student but she will not be attending,” the rep explained. The confusion arose after Blige, 39, told the Times-Picayune, “I just received my high school diploma. The city of New York gave me my high school diploma… and now Howard University has accepted me.” A rep for Howard University later clarified to the Washington Post that the star hadn’t yet been accepted as a student: “We encourage Ms. Blige to continue her studies and welcome her consideration of Howard University in the future. We are happy to work with Ms. Blige on completing the formal process for admission.” Even if she won’t be matriculating at the Washington, D.C., school, the Grammy winner will look online to see what courses and other options are available,” the rep said.

Briefly, Broadway will have to wait a little longer for a planned Ray Charles musical. Producers announced July 16 that Unchain My Heart will open in the spring instead of its planned opening Oct. 8. The musical is produced by Stuart Benjamin, who worked with the R&B legend for 15 years and produced “Ray,” the hit movie about Charles. Benjamin cited “logistical reasons” for the date change. The production was to play at the Barry Theatre but will instead open at the Shubert Theatre.… Denzel Washington is in talks to star in “Safe House.” The 55-year-old actor is in negotiations to take a leading role in the spy thriller, written by “An Inconvenient Truth” director David Guggenheim. The movie tells the tale of a U.S. special agent who goes on the run in South America with a prisoner— played by Washington— whose safe house is attacked.

This is part of the July 28, 2010 online edition of Frost Illustrated.

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