I found something on Neil Gaiman's site and thought it interesting enough and important enough to share... 'What happens to literary property after an author dies and has not left an appropriate Will.

I'll post a link and anyone interested can surf on over and check it out.
http://www.neilgaiman.com/journal/2006/10/important-and-pass-it-on.html

deb
P.S apologies if parts of this post make no sense or have spelling mistakes. I have a raging head cold and couldn't think to save myself...

Thanks for that, Deb. It's great advice. I've passed it on to quite a few published authors and some have gotten back to me already to say what a great idea it is (and how they wouldn't be giving control over their intellectual property to their families!)

Not sure I would either...