After five years of unanswered questions and ongoing investigations, Dia Abrams, a former La Jolla resident who disappeared from her ranch near Idyllwild in June 2020, has now been declared legally dead. With that declaration comes the activation of her estate plan and some unsettling outcomes that offer a cautionary tale for anyone creating a will or trust.
What Happened to Dia’s Estate?
Dia owned multiple properties in Mountain Center, including the 117-acre Bonita Vista Ranch (currently on the market for $3.7 million). Two properties have already been sold.
According to a probate court settlement, the remaining estate, valued at over $5 million, will be split equally between her former boyfriend, Keith Harper, and her two adult children.
This outcome has left Dia’s son, Clinton Abrams, devasted as he has suspicions as to Harper’s role in his mother’s disappearance. Although court records show Harper was considered a suspect in her disappearance, he has never been charged with a crime. Dia Abrams placed Harper in a fiduciary role two weeks prior to her disappearance, giving him significant authority over her estate.
Why This Case Matters in Estate Planning
Dia’s case, while tragic and unusual, provides an important reminder: who you choose to manage your estate as your trustee, power of attorney, or executor, matters just as much as what your estate plan says.
Here’s what we can learn from her story:
Choose Fiduciaries with Extreme Care
Dia reportedly added Harper to positions of trust within her estate shortly before she vanished. Whether you’re selecting a trustee, executor, or power of attorney, ask yourself:
- Do I fully trust this person with my assets, privacy, and legacy?
- Are they likely to act in my best interest and follow my wishes, even when I’m not there to explain them?
- Do they have personal interests that could conflict with their role?
Just because someone is close to you doesn’t mean they’re the right choice for such a significant responsibility.
Put Oversight and Backups in Place
You can protect your estate by building in layers of oversight:
- Consider appointing co-trustees or backup agents who can step in or question suspicious activity
- Keeping trusted advisors (like your estate planning attorney) informed of changes to your fiduciary roles
- Including an independent Trust Protector in your trust that has authority to remove/replace a Trustee
Consider the Emotional Impact on Your Family
Dia’s adult children were shocked by how her estate was structured and by who was ultimately in control. When beneficiaries are surprised or excluded, it can cause years of heartbreak, resentment, and even legal disputes. Clear communication, thoughtful planning, and transparency can go a long way toward preventing future conflict.
Dia Abrams’s story is rare but heartbreaking but can serve as a wake-up call. An estate plan is only as strong as the people you put in charge. Selecting the wrong fiduciary can open the door to conflict, exploitation, and unintended outcomes.
If you haven’t reviewed your estate plan recently or if you’re unsure about the people you've named as your agents or trustees, now is the time to take another look by:
- Reviewing and updating your estate plan
- Evaluating fiduciary roles
- Putting in place safeguards to protect your assets and wishes
If you, a friend, or family member need help establishing or reviewing an estate plan, please reach out to our Intake Department at 760-448-2220 or at https://www.geigerlawoffice.com/contact.cfm. We have offices in San Diego and Orange Counties, but we assist can families throughout California as well.
Brenda was featured as a panelist on a previous episode of the popular Crime Stories with Nancy Grace podcast discussing the mysterious disappearance of Dia Abrams. This case has captivated many and brings to light crucial aspects of estate planning in unforeseen circumstances.
Click the links below to take a listen!
https://omny.fm/shows/crime-stories-with-nancy-grace/wealthy-lady-rancher-disappears-from-cali-ranch-wh
To listen on Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crime-stories-with-nancy-grace/id1193068130?i=1000637960614
