Crichton's kid, wife fighting over estate

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 16 (UPI) -- Papers filed in Los Angeles Probate Court show Michael Crichton's daughter is trying to have her step-mother removed as a trustee of the late author's estate.

Michael Crichton died of cancer last November at the age of 66.

His daughter, Taylor, is seeking to remove Sherri Crichton as one of three co-trustees of her late husband's trust, said Adam Streisand, partner of Loeb & Loeb, and Sherri Crichton's attorney.

"Taylor Crichton has absolutely no legal or factual basis to make any claim that Mrs. Crichton has done anything other than faithfully discharge her fiduciary duties to all trust beneficiaries, including Taylor Crichton. There is no conflict of interest that in any way precludes Mrs. Crichton from exercising her duties, which she has done at all times, exactly as Michael Crichton intended," Streisand said in a statement.

"It is sad that Taylor Crichton would dishonor her father's wishes and wage such an undignified attack on her family members, especially actions that would attempt to deprive her own brother of his right to share in their father's estate. We have absolutely no doubt that Mrs. Sherri Crichton will continue to serve as a co-trustee of her late husband's trust," Streisand said.

Michael Crichton died when Sherri was pregnant with their son, John Michael, who is now eight months old.

Streisand said the "Jurassic Park" and "ER" creator was in the process of updating his estate plan to provide for John Michael, but died before he could complete the revisions.