The new sci-fi movie franchise “Dune” has captivated audiences with “Dune: Part One” and its sequel, “Dune: Part Two”. While it’s not the first adaptation of Frank Herbert’s legendary work, these latest films have achieved greater critical success. The “Dune” saga began as a comprehensive and detailed six-book series, with the first novel published in 1965. Why did it take so long for Hollywood to revisit the story? The answer lies in intellectual property rights, as the use of any creative work requires approval from the estate managing the author’s legacy. In this case, Frank Herbert’s estate, Herbert Properties, LLC, controls the intellectual property, with key members including his son, Brian Herbert, and daughter, Penny Merritt.  

So let’s dive into the estate planning part of the “Dune” saga. You’d think everything would be straightforward with Frank Herbert’s estate, but that’s not quite the case. His life was long and complicated, with twists and turns. 

One of the most surprising aspects of his legacy was the discovery of an outline for a seventh “Dune” novel. This outline was only uncovered in 2013, decades after his death. 

Frank Herbert had mentioned to media outlets that he was working on a seventh “Dune” book, but his life took an unexpected turn. As he was about to embark on a trip to the Himalayas, he was diagnosed with cancer and passed away just a few months later. 

Before he died, he left the outline with an attorney, who sealed it in a safety deposit box. It wasn’t until 2013 that Frank’s son, Brian Herbert, found these notes. Since then, the “Dune” universe has expanded, with new stories inspired by this long-hidden outline. 

But here’s the question: if Frank Herbert died in 1986, why wasn’t this outline found until 2013? The safety deposit box should’ve been passed on to his family or estate, where the content could have been published. 

The Importance of Learning from Others

This is a perfect example of what can go wrong when there’s a lack of communication and poor execution from lawyers managing an estate. Proper estate planning requires clear communication to avoid delays and ensure assets end up in the right hands. 

Here at Trust Counsel, making sure that your property is properly managed, and not left to collect dust, is exactly our goal- your legacy matters to us, and whether or not you’re a famous author, your estate deserves to be handled the way you see fit, in a timely manner that allows your goals for the future to see the light of day. 

schedule an Initial assessment call with us to ensure your estate is handled properly, with a team that communicates effectively and prevents your assets from gathering dust.