Shelley Duvall's brother in legal dispute with her 'common-law spouse' Dan Gilroy over six-figure estate

BLANCO, TEXAS: Shelley Duvall, best known for her role as Wendy Torrance in Stanley Kubrick's 'The Shining' (1980), died on July 11 at the age of 75 at her home in Blanco, Texas. 

But her legacy, spanning a career filled with both triumphs and controversies, is now caught in the crossfire of a heated dispute between her longtime partner, Dan Gilroy, and her family.

Shelley Duvall's brother challenges Dan Gilroy's claims over her estate

One of Shelley Duvall's brothers, Shane Duvall, has swiftly moved to contest Dan Gilroy's claims over her estate, as per In Touch Weekly.

According to court documents obtained by the outlet, Shane is challenging Gilroy's petition to control the assets of the late actress.

Gilroy, who had been Shelley's partner for 35 years, filed legal documents shortly after her death, declaring himself her "surviving common-law spouse."

Despite their lengthy relationship, Shane asserts that Gilroy's claims are unfounded, stating that they were never married "either formally or informally."

Shane, alongside his brothers Scott and Stewart Duvall, is pushing for the court to recognize them as the sole beneficiaries of Shelley's estate, which includes a home on 10.676 acres of land in Texas.

The actress' brother argues that "Dan Gilroy has no interest in [Shelley's] property," insisting that his sister's assets should be divided equally among her three brothers, with each receiving one-third of her real and personal property.

Gilroy, however, paints a different picture of his relationship with the late actress.

In his filing, Gilroy described a life lived together as husband and wife, claiming that they had an agreement to be married, lived together in Texas as spouses, and presented themselves as married to others.

He is seeking a significant share of Shelley's estate, proposing that he be awarded 100 percent of community property, 50 percent of separate real property, and 100 percent of community and separate personal property.

He has suggested that the remaining separate real property be divided among Shelley's brothers, with each receiving one-sixth portion.

Dan Gilroy opened up about his deep loss after Shelley Duvall's death

Beyond the courtroom drama, Dan Gilroy has been vocal about his deep personal loss, telling The Hollywood Reporter, "My dear, sweet, wonderful life partner and friend left us. Too much suffering lately, now she’s free. Fly away, beautiful Shelley."

This heartfelt tribute highlights the emotional complexity of the case, as Gilroy's claim is not just about property but about recognition of a shared life.

Shelley and Gilroy had retreated from Hollywood in the mid-1990s, choosing the quieter life in Texas, away from the spotlight.

The actress' estate, valued at over $100,000, includes cash, real estate, personal effects, and household goods, all of which are now at the center of this legal tussle.

While the legal battle over Shelley's estate remains unresolved with a hearing yet to be set, the dispute has brought to light the intricate dynamics of love, family, and legacy.s

The 'Annie Hall' actress' life, characterized by her unique screen presence and resilience, continues to captivate even after her passing.

Her contribution to cinema was recently honored by the late Kubrick’s X (formerly Twitter) account, which paid tribute to Shelley's varied career and her fond memories of working with the director on 'The Shining'. 

The heartfelt message read, "Shelley Duvall, legendary character actor, and The Shining’s extraordinary Wendy Torrance has died at the age of 75. Shelley’s career was varied and long."

It continued, "Despite being dogged with exaggerations of her treatment on set, Shelley was always vocal about her experience filming The Shining saying she 'wouldn’t trade it for anything' because 'working with loveable Stanley was a fascinating learning experience.'" 

"Our thoughts are with Shelley’s friends and family," concluded the post.