The Menendez brothers, Lyle and Erik, did not ultimately inherit their parents' estate due to their conviction for the murders of José and Kitty Menendez. Although the estate was initially valued at approximately $14.5 million, most of this wealth was depleted through taxes, legal fees, poor financial decisions, and losses on real estate sales. Within six months after the murders, the brothers spent nearly $1 million on luxury items and expenses, including a Porsche, Rolex watches, a restaurant, tennis lessons, travel, and gambling losses
. After their arrest and conviction, the brothers lost access to the estate under California's "Slayer Statute," which prohibits anyone who intentionally kills another person from inheriting from the victim's estate or benefiting from life insurance policies. This statute ensured that Lyle and Erik could not legally profit from their parents' wealth despite their initial spending spree funded by their father's $650,000 life insurance policy
. By 1994, probate records showed that about $10.8 million of the estate had been spent, with a significant portion going toward the brothers' criminal defense fees and other expenses. The remaining assets included a house in Calabasas, a condominium in New Jersey, some jewelry and furniture, and roughly $651,948 in cash, which was insufficient to cover ongoing debts. The estate had also suffered losses on real estate sales, including the family home sold at a loss and another property in Calabasas sold for less than its appraised value
. As of 2024-2025, the brothers are serving life sentences and have no known net worth from their inheritance. Their lavish lifestyle ended with their imprisonment, and any potential future earnings, such as from media projects about their case, are unlikely to benefit them financially due to their legal situation
