A family's legacy, a billion-dollar empire, and a battle for its future: the story of the Douglass family's legal saga is one of power, emotion, and complex relationships.
In the heart of Spokane, Washington, a real estate empire built by Harlan Douglass and his late wife, Maxine, is now the subject of a heated courtroom drama. The year was 2019 when Harlan, a once-vibrant businessman, began to show signs of dementia, and his world, and that of his family, changed forever.
A Father's Decline, A Family's Rift
Harlan, a self-made man with a sharp business mind, struggled to find his way in his own office, a place he had founded decades ago. It was a poignant moment for his longtime employee, Deanna Malcom, who witnessed his decline.
"I had to guide him, hand-in-hand, to his office. It was heart-wrenching to see someone you admire so much, someone you looked up to, struggling with dementia."
As Harlan's health deteriorated, so did his relationships with his children. Two of his adult children, Lanzce and Stacey, found their way back into their father's life after a decade of estrangement. But this reunion came at a cost for the eldest son, Harley, who had worked alongside his parents for years, helping build their financial empire.
The Empire's Legacy: A Battle of Wills
The Douglass family's real estate empire, consisting of several hundred properties, generates millions of dollars monthly. Now, the siblings are locked in a legal battle, fighting for their share of this immense wealth. The trial, currently underway in Spokane County Superior Court, offers a rare glimpse into the inner workings of this powerful family.
At the heart of the dispute is Harlan's will, and the circumstances surrounding its change in 2019. Two pivotal meetings in the spring of that year set the stage for the current conflict.
In the first meeting, Lanzce and Stacey joined their father at a lawyer's office, where Harlan signed documents gifting each of them promissory notes worth $45.9 million and additional notes giving $13.9 million to each of their five children. These notes, totaling $155 million, were payable upon Harlan's death. But the meeting didn't end there; Harlan also signed documents making Lanzce and Stacey his durable powers of attorney.
A second meeting, attended only by Harlan, Lanzce, and Stacey, saw Harlan sign documents to void an earlier will that would have split his estate equally among the three siblings. The new will, signed in May 2019, allocated 65% of the estate, valued at over $400 million, to Lanzce, and 35%, over $200 million, to Stacey. Any other monies from investments or life insurance policies were to be split evenly between the two.
Harley, the eldest son, was not invited to either of these meetings. He was left out of the new will, receiving only $1,000. Unsatisfied, Harley has filed a lawsuit, seeking to revert to their father's earlier will, signed in 2018, which would divide the estate equally among the three children.
A Tale of Undue Influence?
Harley's attorney, Steven Hassing, argues that Lanzce and Stacey executed a plan to gain control not only of their father's estate but also their mother's. He claims that in Harlan's diminished state, he was unable to differentiate truth from the lies told by Lanzce and Stacey.
"By exploiting his cognitive impairment, they turned their father against Harley, the one child with whom he shared a genuine and enduring relationship."
However, attorneys for Lanzce and Stacey, Jason Burnett and Karolyn Hicks, maintain that Harley lacks sufficient evidence to prove undue influence or fraudulent inducement. They argue that the May 2019 will reflects Harlan's intent to treat his children differently, based on substantial lifetime gifts to Harley and his fluctuating relationships with his three children.
A Legacy of Hard Work and Family Unity
Harlan Douglass, born in Electric City, Washington, was the son of a schoolteacher mother and a father who helped build Grand Coulee Dam. After an accident that broke his back, Harold Douglass moved his family to Spokane, where he started a home-foundation business. It was here that Harlan developed his interest in construction and real estate.
Harlan became friends with another home builder, Vern Ziegler, whose wife, Mary, worked with Maxine Hilby. It was Mary who set up the blind date that led to Harlan and Maxine's marriage in 1959. They worked together as a team, building their empire, and faced many challenges along the way.
"My mom and dad were totally self-made," Harley said. "They came from parents who didn't make a lot of money, but they worked together and were always unified."
Lanzce, in his court testimony, described his father as a bare-knuckle brawler in business, someone who took things personally. He recalled working for his father during his high school years and how Harlan kept a close eye on his ventures, counting the properties he owned and the apartments he rented.
"He was not someone you wanted to slight or have him perceive a slight. He would do whatever he needed to crush you."
As a result of his father's aggressive tactics, Lanzce sought projects in Ellensburg, Olympia, and Tacoma, places where his father wouldn't follow.
A Thaw in Relations, A New Beginning
The relationship between Harlan and his children was not always strained. Stacey, who had worked with her father at Douglass Properties, testified that they had a disagreement that led to her estrangement. But in 2018, Harlan reached out to her, inviting her to the Christmas party.
Lisa Bonnett Douglass, Harley's wife, testified about Harlan's request for her to return to work at Douglass Properties after he fired the office manager. She described Harlan's desire to have Harley more involved in the business, seeing him as the future leader.
However, the day after Thanksgiving in 2018, Harlan's behavior took a turn. He called Lisa, accusing her of being up to something. This was the last time she heard from him.
A Legal Battle, A Family Torn Apart
The legal fight over Harlan's will is not the first time Lanzce has attempted to write Harley out of the family inheritance. In 2019, Lanzce tried to alter the distribution of Maxine's estate, a move that was challenged by Harley and ruled in his favor by Judge Raymond Clary in 2023.
During the trial, Lanzce claimed he was grateful for any inheritance from Maxine's trust, even though his share was just 10% compared to Harley's 50% and Stacey's 40%. Judge Clary, however, did not find his explanation convincing, writing that the deed was part of Lanzce's plan to gain $200 million.
The trial continues next week, with the siblings pitted against each other, fighting for their share of their father's legacy. It's a battle that has torn this family apart, leaving a lasting mark on their relationships and their future.
And this is the part most people miss... What are your thoughts on this complex family drama? Do you think the court will rule in favor of Harley, or will the new will stand? Share your opinions in the comments below!
