Bindi Irwin has to prove that her father, Steve Irwin, is dead to have her DWT contract accepted despite having her mother, Terri Irwin, who is her legal guardian, sign the documents. The story has sparked a debate with many saying that the judge is causing Bindi unnecessary grief by asking for proof while others say he is just abiding by the law.
Bindi Irwin, who lost her famous father, Steve Irwin, in 2006 has to prove legally that he died for her Dancing with the Stars contract to be validated despite having her mother, Terri Irwin, sign the proper documents. As a minor, Bindi Irwin can not directly access the almost $230,000, she could earn from Dancing with the Stars.
While her mom, Terri Irwin, has signed all required documents stating that the 17-year-old can keep the money she earns – an L.A. Superior Court judge is saying, not so fast. The judge has requested that the Irwin family show proof that Steve Irwin is really dead. Some are saying that the judge presiding over the case believes in conspiracy theories a la Elvis Presley or Tupac Shakur. According to TMZ:
Here’s the rub. For some reason the judge wants the same release from Bindi’s dad, the late Steve Irwin. The judge said without proof of Steve giving up his rights to Bindi’s money, “the court is unable to find that it is in the best interest of the minor to be bound by the terms of the contract.”
It is unclear whether the family can just submit Steve Irwin’s death certificate to resolve the matter. On September 4, 2006, Irwin, a beloved Australian wildlife expert and television personality, who appeared in the hit series, The Crocodile Hunter, died after being pierced in the chest by a stingray barb while filming an underwater documentary. An 8-year-old Bindi Irwin eulogized Steve Irwin with the following touching words where she promised to keep his memory alive by following in his footsteps. She said:
“He listened to me and taught me so many things but most of all he was fun. I know that Daddy had an important job. He was working to change the world so everyone would love wildlife like he did. He built a hospital to help animals and he bought lots of land to give animals a safe place to live. He took me and my brother and my mum with him all the time. We filmed together, caught crocodiles together and loved being in the bush together.”
She added:
“I don’t want Daddy’s passion to ever end. I want to help endangered wildlife just like he did. I have the best Daddy in the whole world and I will miss him every day. When I see a crocodile I will always think of him and I know that Daddy made this zoo so everyone could come and learn to love all the animals. Daddy made this place his whole life and now it’s our turn to help Daddy.”
Bindi Irwin, who is dancing with Derek Hough, is guaranteed $125,000, plus between $10,000 and $50,000 for each two weeks she remains in the competition. Many are blasting the judge by saying:
This judge is either stupid or has been living in the closet for the last 10 years. he should be removed from the bench, the whole world knows Steve passed away.
While few are defending him:
This is a superior court judge abiding by the law.he is not just pulling this law out of his a$$.
What are your thoughts on the Bindi Irwin story?
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gender bias run rampant. If the MOTHER is the legal guardian…then why would she need the father’s consent?? alive or deceased….
Have you never heard of contested guardianship? Things can get rather sticky when dealing in family matters or money and although it does appear to be rather foolish, the judge is following the law. Deaths can be faked, even high profile ones and although it is extremely unlikely to have happened, the presence of a certified death certificate does narrow the probability of any fraud.
It’s isn’t just contested guardianship. Some people who are gifted monies at a death or think they are entitled to something come out of the woodwork when ppl get money. If something they think can come to them, they’ll contest it. Like they were getting money from his foundation or whatev, they may think that b’cuz she said in his eulogy that she was gonna keep it up in his memory, will want it if they’re isn’t a legal document saying that he isn’t entitled to anything she makes legally, then they won’t have Leg to stand on. I would think. She probably isn’t even thinking anything. The media maybe making thoughts on her behalf, but she isn’t even aware and already has what is needed & is ready to, or has already, handed it over.
One word, BENEFICIARY. Even if there’s just one crooked person out there, as his beneficiary, could put a claim on her monies. Like, if the Zoo says “in her eulogy, she said that she was going to help us. Since it’s not documented that he’s not legally entitled to her money in future jobs, (etc) & she claims to wanna help us, then we should get some”.
So–If his death certificate is there and he isn’t entitled to her money, then or in future, by legal doc’s and her Mom signs her doc’s then she’s set. Hope it makes sense. I’m not the best one to describe how things happen.
I don’t see what the big deal is. Everyone who has died has a death certificate issued. Submit the document and get on with life. It’s not that complicated.
Emotionally, she can be upset, that someone would have her get the info together, to submit. Yes, she’s human & having to deal again & be reminded of his death can be traumatic, the fact that it’s needed to be done, isn’t s necessary problem.
When a loved one passes, no matter who you are or how important you are, it really doesn’t factor into it. And-If you are a minor, & do anything having to do w/money &/or legal issues, falls to both parents, alive or deceased. If both alive, both sign over their rights to any money, however it’s done do they are in no way entitled to any monies, that way no one can come after the fact to try and claim later on.
If one-or both-parents (or, legal guardian, I think) are deceased, then proof of death, in this case, usually the death certificate, is brought in to be processed right along with the living parents’ agree that she ONLY gets monies.
The reason, I think, it’s like that is FOR HER PROTECTION LEGALLY — FROM PARENTS, GUARDIANS OR ANY DESCENDANT-NEXT OF KIN-WHATEV, IS ENTITLED TO MONIES COMING/GOING TO THE DECEDENT(S).
If her brother, or the ‘Zoo’, ‘charity’, or whatev is her deceased Dad’s beneficiary, then if she’s not protected, maybe he’d be entitled to some, most or all of her.
— See? Understand, now? The judge is doing so for HER PROTECTION. Can’t get mad at him for that?!
So give the judge a death certificate and be done with it.