The stepdaughters of the late automobile heir Henry Ford II are worried they won't get a dime of his $350 million fortune. Why? Because their mom's lawyer is keeping Debi and Kimberly away from her. Kathleen DuRoss Ford, whose health is believed to be frail already, only speaks to her daughters via a conference call and her lawyer L. Frank Chopin is always around.

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Kathleen DuRoss Ford is the last wife of the late Ford Motors CEO Henry Ford II. Henry Ford was the grandson of Henry Ford II, founder of Ford Motors and that of the family fortune.

She is receiving roughly $10 million a year after the Ford Motors heir died at 70 in 1987. Since then, she has already enjoyed over $300 million and the use of the $34.8 million mansion owned by the Ford family trust, in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Debbie and Kimberly were the daughters Kathleen from a previous marriage. Since DuRoss Ford's health turned frail after her back surgery, her daughters accused her lawyer L. Frank Chopin of influencing and controlling the 75-year-old, convincing her to leave her daughter out of her will.

In case this nasty family affair turns into a legal battle, history will only repeat itself. Kathleen herself waged a fight against her husband's children over his fortune after his death. 

Henry Ford II left $350 million to be divided by DuRoss Ford, his three children from his first marriage (Edsel, Ann, and Charlotte), and his grandchildren. DuRoss Ford was willed at least $1.5 million per annum upon the approval of the trustees.

DuRoss Ford hired L. Frank Chopin to represent her during the case after she accused her stepson and another trustee of preventing her from getting her share in her husband's fortune.

DuRoss Ford and Henry's children were not really close even when he was alive. She was a model at a car show and with two daughters to raise when he met her in 1969. Ford was still married to his second wife, Italian socialite, Maria Cristina Vettore and his two daughters were close to their father's second wife that they did not attend his wedding to DuRoss Ford in 1980.

When Henry Ford II died left not just a written will but also a video will that would settle the family but that was not the case as DuRoss Ford still went to court in 1988. A settlement was finally reached that awarded her $10.5 million a year.

Police are investigating the claims against Chopin. 

TagsHenry Ford II, Kathleen DuRoss Ford, ford motors