Wellington Burt

Wellington Burt was an American businessman (timber industry) and politician (mayor of Saginaw, Michigan).

However, Burt is best known for his last will and testament: due to long-standing family disputes, his will contained a clause that the estate would not be paid until 21 years after the death of his last (at the time of his death) living descendant. Although the will was challenged, the Michigan Supreme Court ruled (under its interpretation of Michigan law and the Rule Against Perpetuities) that it was valid; outside of annuities (those Burt left to his children, except one disinherited, and many of his personal servants), a successful challenge under Minnesota law regarding iron leases Burt held there, and a later challenge settled out-of-court, none of his then living descendants received any of his estate. (Burt died in 1919, the last living descendant died in 1989, and the estate was paid out in 2010 and 2011.)