Family Of Former Kansas City Chiefs' Linebacker Derrick Thomas Look To Courts To Divide Estate

Jet, Sept 18, 2000

When Derrick Thomas died from injuries suffered in a car accident last February, he left seven children by five women and no will (JET, Feb. 21).

Since the seven children, ages 2-10, are heirs to what is left because Thomas was not married and there isn't a will, the mothers of his children are fighting for a healthy share of his estate filed in Jackson County Circuit Court, MO.

Thomas earned about $20 million from the Chiefs during his final six seasons. However, probate records filed in Jackson County Circuit Court show only $1.16 million in assets is left, plus the value of three properties (Thomas owned his home in Independence, MO), three investments and belongings with undetermined value.

Attorneys and accountants are sorting out his business and personal affairs to see if anything will be left for his family because in addition to creditors and other claimants seeking more than $815,000, lawyers, accountants and taxes also have to be paid.

Probate and paternity records show Thomas paid support for all of his children.

Besides any proceeds left from the estate, there are at least three likely sources of money for his children's support: life insurance, NFL death benefits and Social Security benefits.

Thomas' life insurance policy for $1.2 million is separate from the estate and is protected from creditors. But not all the children are named in the policy, and probate files show Thomas' mother could be a significant beneficiary. The filing period for claims ends Sept. 30.