Published on Lawyer Monthly
By Joseph Finder, February 12th, 2025
Interest in the case of the Menéndez brothers increased significantly with the debut of the new season of Monsters.
Although their convictions for first-degree murder and subsequent life sentences without the possibility of parole are widely recognized, the details surrounding the inheritance they initially pursued are less commonly discussed. Following the tragic murders, Lyle and Erik swiftly came into possession of a share of their parents’ wealth.
José and Kitty had accumulated a substantial wealth exceeding $14 million in 1989, which included several properties. When adjusted for inflation, this amount would correspond to approximately $36.8 million as of the current date. They embarked on an extravagant spending spree that ultimately influenced their public visibility.
Four days after the murders, the brothers began a spending spree. The brothers’ shopping sprees were funded by Jose’s personal life insurance policy of $650,000.
Contrary to popular belief, Lyle and Eric did not inherit anything from their father’s will.
The financial inheritance of the Menendez brothers was forfeited following their conviction for the murder of their parents. According to California’s “Slayer Statute,” an individual who commits a felony resulting in the death of another is prohibited from benefiting from the victim’s estate, irrespective of their familial ties.
Upon their conviction, the $14.5 million estate they had inherited was swiftly diminished due to taxes, legal expenses, and unwise financial choices. Probate records indicate that nearly $10.8 million was expended, with a significant portion allocated to the brothers’ legal defense, inflated property valuations, and losses in the stock market.
When the records were eventually made public, the remnants of their once opulent fortune included a house in Calabasas, a condominium in New Jersey, some jewelry and furniture, and $651,948 in cash—an amount insufficient to address their growing debts. Even had Lyle and Erik been acquitted, they would have received nothing from the estate. Given their conviction and life sentences, the California Slayer Statute further eliminated any possibility of financial gain. This statute bars anyone who intentionally kills another individual from inheriting from the victim’s estate or receiving benefits from life insurance policies.
