Wellington Burt

Wellington Burt was an American businessman (timber industry) and politician (mayor of Saginaw, Michigan).

However, Burt is best known for his last will and testament: due to long-standing family disputes, his will contained a clause that the estate would not be paid until 21 years after the death of his last (at the time of his death) living descendant. Although the will was challenged, the Michigan Supreme Court ruled that it was valid, and outside of small annuities (equal to those Burt left to his coachman and cook) and a successful challenge under Minnesota law regarding iron leases Burt held there, none of his then living descendants received any of his estate. (The last living descendant died in 1989; the estate was paid in 2010 and 2011.)