Indiana Courts & Ghost Heirs: Can a Medium Be Appointed for Jeff Goldblum?

Ever wonder what happens when a famous actor’s spectral self claims a share of the family estate? Indiana law, ghost‑rights jurisprudence, and the peculiar idea of a medium acting as executor make for an odd, yet surprisingly technical discussion. Grab a cup of coffee (or a tea‑time séance), and let’s unpack the legal mechanics, procedural quirks, and whether the courts will actually hand a Ouija board to the probate docket.

Table of Contents

• 1. Legal Framework: Indiana Probate & Spiritual Succession
• 2. The Medium’s Role: Executor, Guardian, or Just a Spiritual Consultant?
• 3. Procedural Steps to Appoint a Medium
• 4. Case Studies & Precedents
• 5. Ethical & Practical Considerations
• 6. Conclusion & Take‑away

1. Legal Framework: Indiana Probate & Spiritual Succession

Under Indiana Code § 20‑1‑6.1, a person may be named an executor in a will if they are competent, willing, and not disqualified. The code is silent on “ghost heirs,” but it does allow a will to appoint any person, provided they meet the statutory requirements.

1.1 Competency & Capacity

A competent executor must be:

1. At least 18 years old
2. Not in prison or under a mental institution’s care
3. Capable of managing the estate’s assets and liabilities

Can a ghost or medium satisfy these? The court’s answer hinges on interpretation of “person”. Indiana courts have traditionally treated a ghost as an inanimate entity, not a legal person. Thus, a ghost cannot be an executor.

1.2 The Medium’s Legal Status

A medium is a human agent, so the law can treat them as any other executor. The twist: they must act on behalf of a non‑person. Courts have been reluctant to grant agency over an incorporeal entity, but they can grant fiduciary duties to a human who represents the ghost’s interests.

2. The Medium’s Role: Executor, Guardian, or Just a Spiritual Consultant?

In practice, a medium can assume one of three roles:

• Executor – Directly manages the estate, signs documents, pays debts.
• Guardian – Protects the ghost’s intangible assets (e.g., reputation, copyrights).
• Consultant – Provides evidence or testimony that the ghost exists and has a claim.

Each role requires different legal filings, fiduciary responsibilities, and oversight. The medium must also comply with Indiana’s Uniform Fiduciary Code, which mandates:

3. Procedural Steps to Appoint a Medium

Below is a step‑by‑step guide, formatted as a pre block for clarity.

1. Draft a Petition for Appointment of Executor (Form 5A)
2. Attach Supporting Evidence:
  - Will naming the ghost as heir
  - Medium’s credentials (certificates, past engagements)
3. File Petition with the County Probate Court
4. Serve Notice to:
  - All heirs (living and presumed)
  - Interested parties (e.g., estate tax authorities)
5. Court Review:
  - Examine competency of the medium
  - Verify the ghost’s claim via testimony or expert witnesses
6. If Approved:
  - Court issues an Order of Appointment
  - Medium files a Fiduciary Report annually

**Tip:** The medium must submit a Letter of Intent, outlining how they will manage intangible assets like “posthumous royalties” or “legacy branding.” This helps the court assess their suitability.

4. Case Studies & Precedents

Although no Indiana case has appointed a medium outright, related decisions shed light on the court’s willingness to accommodate unconventional heirs.

5. Ethical & Practical Considerations

• Transparency: The medium must disclose all methods and sources of evidence to the court.
• Conflict of Interest: If the medium has a financial stake in the ghost’s legacy (e.g., sells “ghost merchandise”), they must recuse themselves from related decisions.
• Public Perception: A medium’s appointment could be seen as frivolous, potentially undermining the court’s legitimacy.
• Asset Valuation: Intangible assets like a star’s name or “post‑humous” royalties require expert appraisals; the medium should collaborate with valuation specialists.

6. Conclusion & Take‑away

In short, Indiana courts do not recognize ghosts as legal persons, so a ghost itself cannot be an executor. However, the law does allow human agents—such as a medium—to act on behalf of an heir that is otherwise incorporeal, provided they meet competency requirements and uphold fiduciary duties.

If Jeff Goldblum’s ghost wants to inherit, the most realistic path is for a medium to serve as guardian or fiduciary representative, not as an executor. This arrangement demands rigorous documentation, court oversight, and ethical vigilance. While the idea of a Ouija board presiding over probate filings is entertaining, the legal reality is that any medium stepping into this role must be as competent with paperwork as they are with psychic phenomena.

So, next time you hear a ghostly whisper about inheritance, remember: the court will likely ask for a human intermediary, not a spectral will. And that intermediary—whether a seasoned medium or a skeptical attorney—will need to keep the estate’s coffers—and its haunting—under strict, earthly control.