Magazine content is available exclusively for TIME subscribers.The Big Payoff: Settling a $4 billion quarrel
For most people, an annual income of $35 million would be reason to celebrate. But heirs of Billionaire Oilman J. Paul Getty, who died in 1976, chose to litigate instead. In a bizarre and bitter feud, family members sued to break up the $4 billion trust that has been the source of their fortune and to remove Gordon Getty, 51, a son of J. Paul's, as sole trustee.
Last week, after 18 months of acrimonious court battles, family members agreed to settle the case. Under terms reached in Los Angeles, the Sarah C. Getty Trust -- named for the oilman's mother...
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