March 26--The battle over the estate of Cubs great Ernie Banks resumes Thursday in a Cook County courtroom amid claims from the late slugger's family that his longtime caretaker duped him into signing a will leaving all his assets to her.
The parties are scheduled to appear at 10 a.m. before Probate Judge James Riley, who has ordered the caretaker, Regina Rice, to compile a complete accounting of the estate, including any collections of baseball-related memorabilia, accounts, stocks and life insurance policies taken out in Banks' name. The inventory is due April 26.
Earlier this week, Rice, who had initially estimated Banks' "known" assets at $16,000, filed a petition of her own asking the judge to order Banks' estranged wife, Elizabeth Ellzey Banks, to turn over records of any assets he left behind in the couple's California home when they separated. Rice said in the filing that Banks had "attempted to retrieve" assets from the home after he moved out in 2012 but that he was unable to get them back from his wife.
Also Monday, attorneys for Banks' wife revealed they have subpoenaed the Hall of Famer's longtime doctor for any records relating to his care, including psychiatric evaluations, "neuropsychological reports," and treatment notes for any alcohol or drug abuse.
Banks' twin sons have contested the validity of the will, alleging in a public statement that Rice took advantage of Banks' weakened physical state to get him to sign the paperwork before he died Jan. 23 at age 83 of a heart attack. Banks' death certificate signed at Northwestern Memorial Hospital listed dementia as a contributing factor.
The battle over what Banks wished to happen after he died began soon after his funeral. Control over Banks' estate had initially been awarded to his wife, who had gone to probate court Jan. 28 claiming that Banks had died without a will. In such cases, an immediate family member is typically named the executor.
But days later, Rice, 56, who described herself as a caretaker and "trusted confidant" to Banks, filed a petition disclosing the existence of a will signed by Banks three months before his death that left her his entire estate.
Court records show Banks signed his will Oct. 17 at the offices of a Lombard attorney, far from Banks' condo in the Trump Tower in downtown Chicago. It included specific language stating that he was "making no provisions" for his wife and children, "not for a lack of love and affection for them and for reasons best known by them."
Two of the attorney's paralegals signed the five-page document as witnesses.
Records show that Rice, through her talent management company Ricer Enterprises, had organized numerous publicity events featuring Banks in recent years, including a gala at the East Bank Club last year that charged a $300 entry fee. Her company also runs the website ErnieBanks.net, which advertises autographed baseball bats, gloves and other merchandise for up to $400, shipping included.
In a statement issued last month, Rice said Banks had been part of her life for 12 years and that the record will "dispel any iota of concern regarding my relationship with Ernie and his trust in me to carry out his wishes" during his lifetime and after his death.
jmeisner@tribpub.com
