Epstein files 2026: Who will inherit Epstein’s million-dollar fortune? Hint: It’s not just Ghislaine Maxwell
Jeffrey Epstein Inheritance Mystery: According to documents, Epstein, who was a convicted sex offender, had said that he contemplated marrying his girlfriend, Karyna Shuliak, who became the beneficiary of Epstein’s estate.
This undated photo released by the US Department of Justice shows Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. (US Department of Justice via AP)
Jeffrey Epstein Estate Explained: Disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, who once had a large estate valued at $600 million, signed a document two days prior to his death in 2019 that gave away much of his fortune to his girlfriend at the time, the documents recently released by the US Justice Department show.
According to documents, Epstein, who was a convicted sex offender, had said that he contemplated marrying his girlfriend, Karyna Shuliak, who became the beneficiary of Epstein’s estate after he signed the document that gave away much of his once vast fortune, the New York Times reported.
A copy of the 32-page document, known as the 1953 Trust, was released by the Justice Department last month when more than three million pages of investigative files about Epstein were revealed.
Documents that were included in the US Department of Justice release of the Jeffrey Epstein files are photographed. (AP Photo/ File)
However, it remains unclear about how much Shuliak and 40 other people mentioned in the document as potential beneficiaries would receive from Epstein’s estate, which has reduced significantly in the past seven years after paying lawyers fees, taxes and restitutions to victims.
At the time of his death, Epstein’s estate was valued at around $600 million. But in a recent court filing, the estate’s value plunged sharply to $120 million.
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Who gets what from Epstein’s trust
The trust, which has been named after Epstein’s birth year, has never been made public before. The convicted paedophile’s then girlfriend Shuliak, 36, is projected to receive $100 million and it includes a $50 million annuity that is slated to be set up for her benefit.
The documents also state that she would receive much of Epstein’s property but the estate has sold most of the residences owned by the disgraced financier.
The two other beneficiaries listed in the documents who have a share in the deceased sex offender’s trust are Epstein’s personal lawyer Darren Indyke and his in-house accountant, Richard KRichard Kahnahn.
Both Indyke and Kahn are co-executors of Epstein’s estate. The trust is poised to provide $50 million to Indyke and $25 million to Kahn.
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Who is Epstein’s girlfriend Karyna Shuliak
In the documents released by the Justice Department, Shuliak has been named several times by her name. A native of Belarus, documents revealed that Shuliak knew Epstein since 2012 and that the disgraced financier paid for her to go to dental school. Currently, she reportedly resides in New York City.
Daniel Weiner, who is a lawyer for Epstein’s estate, has said that neither Kahn, nor Indyke or any other beneficiaries mentioned in the documents “will receive any money from that estate unless and until all creditors and claims on the estate have first been satisfied in full, including claims for compensation made by women who suffered abuse at Mr. Epstein’s hands,” NYT reported.
Who all are named as beneficiaries of Epstein’s estate
Among the 40 names mentioned in the documents released by the Justice Department who are reportedly said to be the potential beneficiaries of sex offender Epstein’s estate include:
Nischai Vats is a Deputy Copy Editor at The Indian Express. His work primarily covers US politics and visa and immigration policy, alongside broader international developments, with an emphasis on accuracy, verification, and clear explainers.
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Nischai joined The Indian Express in May 2024 where he works on writing, editing, and refining high-impact stories for digital platforms. His role involves ensuring editorial consistency, factual accuracy, and clarity in coverage of complex policy-driven subjects.
Earlier in his career, he worked across Indian digital newsrooms in reporting and editing roles, including stints at Inshorts, Newslaundry, Tiranga TV, and Catch News. His newsroom experience spans rapid digital publishing, ground reporting, and copy editing across national, civic, and policy beats.
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His core areas of focus include:
US politics and governance: Coverage of American political developments, executive actions, and policy shifts.
US visa and immigration policy: Reporting and editing stories on visa categories, regulatory changes, and immigration pathways affecting global audiences.
Editorial accuracy and copy editing: Ensuring clarity, language precision, and verification in fast-paced digital news environments.
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Nischai's journalism is grounded in verified sources, official documentation, and clear attribution, in line with The Indian Express’ editorial standards. His background across reporting and editing enables him to translate complex policy updates into reliable, reader-friendly coverage. ... Read More
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This undated photo released by the US Department of Justice shows Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. (US Department of Justice via AP) 
