William S. Hart left his only son nothing and his ranch to Los Angeles County; the son fought for a decade

William S. Hart was a silent-film Western star. On September 9, 1944, he signed a will that said: "I have made no provision in this Will for my son for the reason that I have amply provided for him during my lifetime." He left his Newhall ranch and mansion to Los Angeles County as "William S. Hart Park," with no admission fee ever to be charged. He added $150,000 and the residue of his estate for upkeep. If the county broke the terms, the property would go to the State of California. Hart died on June 23, 1946. In January 1947 his son, William S. Hart Jr., petitioned to revoke the will. He alleged lack of capacity, undue influence and monomania, arguing that an unfounded hatred of his mother, Winifred Westover, drove his father to disinherit him. A jury ruled against him in 1950, and the Court of Appeal affirmed on October 24, 1951. He also lost a suit claiming the land gift violated a Mexican land grant and an appeal over the costs of the contest. The court ordered final distribution to the county on December 2, 1955, and the Court of Appeal affirmed on May 27, 1957. The park land was appraised at about $257,000 and the residue at about $586,000. In 2026 the City of Santa Clarita operates Hart Park, and the Hart mansion museum reopened on April 10, 2026.