Nicholas Brendon's Handwritten Will Surfaces in Probate Court

A handwritten will allegedly penned by the late actor Nicholas Brendon has been submitted to probate court, revealing stark instructions about the distribution of his estate. According to documents filed Monday, June 15, 2026, the television star left everything to his brother while explicitly excluding his former girlfriend.

Kelton Schultz, Brendon's brother, filed the probate documents seeking to administer the estate pursuant to the terms of the handwritten will. The filing lists four potential beneficiaries: Schultz himself, the actor's parents Robert and Kathleen, and his ex-girlfriend Sarah Marker.

However, a handwritten note attached to the filing contains blunt instructions that dramatically narrow the distribution. The note reads: "My will. Sarah gets nothing kel gets everything. He can figure it out."

The court documents indicate that Brendon had no spouse or children at the time of his death. No estimate for the value of the estate has been provided at this time, leaving the financial scope of the inheritance unclear.

Brendon passed away in March 2026 at the age of 54. The cause of death was determined to be cardiovascular disease, with acute pneumonia and a previous heart attack listed as contributing factors. His death marked the loss of a recognizable figure in television history, particularly among fans of supernatural drama.

The actor achieved widespread recognition for his portrayal of Xander Harris on "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," appearing as a series regular throughout all seven seasons of the critically acclaimed show. His character served as the everyman among a cast of supernatural heroes, providing comic relief and emotional grounding to the series that ran from 1997 to 2003.

The probate process will now proceed according to California law, with Schultz seeking formal appointment as administrator of his brother's estate. Handwritten wills, known legally as holographic wills, are recognized in California provided they meet certain requirements, including being written entirely in the testator's handwriting and signed by the individual.

The explicit exclusion of Marker from the estate raises questions about the relationship between the former couple at the time of Brendon's death, though the circumstances surrounding their separation remain private. Estate disputes involving handwritten wills can sometimes lead to challenges from excluded parties, though no such contest has been filed at this time.