INVESTIGATION DISCOVERY EXPLORES A WORLD WHERE GRIEF AND GREED COLLIDE IN THE WILL: FAMILY SECRETS REVEALED
� Pilot Airs Thursday, December 17 at 9 PM on Investigation Discovery �
(Silver Spring, Md.)� Steeped in circumstances, legal complexities and raw family emotion, a will has the ability to tear families apart or bring them together. In THE WILL: FAMILY SECRETS REVEALED, Investigation Discovery invites viewers on an emotional and intimate journey as the final wishes of the deceased are revealed to the family members left behind. Expressed in dollars and cents, heirlooms and even last words of wisdom, a person's will is often a telling reflection of what they perceived of their loved ones. But, what happens when there's room for interpretation to the final will? Or worse � what if a person leaves no will at all? Presenting a unique documentary that explores family intrigue and legal wrangling, Investigation Discovery will air a pilot of THE WILL: FAMILY SECRETS REVEALED on Thursday, December 17 at 9 PM ET.
"As we continue to expand the scope of ID's investigative programming, THE WILL: FAMILY SECRETS REVEALED examines the compelling stories of family dynamics in the wake... of a wake," said Henry Schleiff, president and general manager, Investigation Discovery. "We believe this show, along with future episodes, will allow us to explore a part of the human condition often overlooked in both life and death � greed."
Presenting the most curious and contentious real-life stories of family inheritance, THE WILL captures personal drama filled with mystery and turmoil. The pilot tells the story of Kitty Tipton-Oakes. When Kitty dies alone and without a will, she leaves behind a three hundred thousand dollar estate and three adopted sons. As the courts being to investigate what her wishes would have been, they unravel a disturbing family history full of lies and deceit. Formerly married to famous jazz musician Billy Tipton, Kitty has three adopted sons that she hasn't spoken to in years. The family broke apart 20 years earlier when Billy died � and the paramedics attending to him made a shocking discovery. As investigators dig deeper, more shocking secrets come to the surface, including a fake wedding certificate and three sets of falsified adoption papers. News that the three sons may not be legally adopted quickly eliminates them as automatic heirs to Kitty's estate and pits brother against brother.
The future of this family and the fate of Kitty's estate and Billy Tipton's legacy lay in the hands of a judge, trying to decipher her wishes from beyond the grave.
THE WILL: FAMILY SECRETS REVEALED pilot is produced by for Investigation Discovery by CMJ Productions II, Inc. John Kuyk is the producer for CMJ. For Investigation Discovery, Peter Rees is executive producer and Henry Schleiff is president and general manager.
About Investigation Discovery
Investigation Discovery (ID), America's leading investigation network, is the source for fact-based investigative content about culture, history and the human condition. Providing the highest quality investigative programming focused on fascinating stories of human nature from the past to the present, Investigation Discovery's in-depth documentaries and series challenge viewers on important issues shaping our culture and defining our world. As the premier authority in real investigations, ID is expanding partnerships with established news organizations and production companies to bring the strongest analytic, factual investigative and current affairs programming to over 54 million U.S. households. For more information, please visit investigationdiscovery.com
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