The will of Pulitzer and Tony Award winning author and playwright Edward Albee was recently admitted to probate in the Suffolk County Surrogate's Court, which directed his executors to destroy some of his works.

Albee passed away on Sept. 1, 2016 without a spouse, children or close relatives. His executors are accountant Arnold Toren and designer William Katz. As of this date, it appears that no one with legal authority (if any) has contested his last will and testament, which has been sparking controversial debates regarding these final wishes.

The specific directive appearing in the will instructs his executors to destroy any incomplete manuscripts, in any medium (electronic, writing or other) as well as all copies of same. Once a will is admitted to probate, the executors have an obligation to comply with the will's instructions. The problem is that courts generally do not examine a decedent's will to see if each provision has been fulfilled, absent someone contesting same, or if an accounting is required. Thus, Albee's executors can themselves decide whether or not to honor his last wishes.