Dispute over Thomas Kinkade's will heads to court

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) ? Thomas Kinkade's widow and girlfriend have taken their dispute over the late painter's estate to court.

Amy Pinto-Walsh was living with Kinkade and found his body when he overdosed on alcohol and Valium in April. She asked a Northern California judge on Tuesday to allow arguments over the artist's contested will to be heard in open probate court.

Lawyers for Kinkade's wife of 30 years, Nanette Kinkade, want the terms to be decided in secret binding arbitration.

The San Jose Mercury News reports (http://bit.ly/Klx0gr ) that Pinto-Walsh has submitted handwritten notes allegedly written by Kinkade bequeathing her his mansion in Monte Sereno and $10 million to establish a museum of his paintings there.

A July 2 hearing is scheduled to determine the veracity of the notes.

Associated Press

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