Xander's Estate: Nicholas Brendon's Handwritten Will Leaves Everything to Brother

When Buffy the Vampire Slayer star Nicholas Brendon passed away in March from cardiovascular disease, acute pneumonia, and complications from a previous heart attack, he left behind more than just a legacy on television. He also left behind a will—a simple, handwritten one that tells a very clear story about what mattered most to him.

Court documents filed Monday by Brendon’s brother, Kelton Schultz, reveal the contents of that will, and the message is unmistakable. In a note attached to the filing, Brendon wrote:“My will. Sarah gets nothing kel gets everything. He can figure it out.”Sarah, in this case, is Brendon’s ex-girlfriend Sarah Marker. The will leaves his entire estate to his brother, cutting out his ex-partner entirely while entrusting Kelton with the flexibility to handle the rest—including their parents, Robert and Kathleen, who are also listed as potential beneficiaries.

What’s striking isn’t just the content, but the form. This wasn’t a will drafted by lawyers or formalized through legal channels beforehand. It’s a handwritten note—casual, direct, and intensely personal. It reads less like a legal document and more like a final conversation with someone he trusted completely. For someone who spent seven seasons playing Xander Harris, the heart of the Scooby Gang on Buffy, Brendon’s final words prioritized his brother above all else. There’s no ambiguity, no room for interpretation. Just clarity.

The documents note that Brendon had no spouse or children, and the current value of his estate hasn’t been estimated. But that detail feels almost beside the point. What this filing really shows is how Brendon wanted to be remembered in death—and what he believed his brother deserved. Sometimes the smallest gestures tell the biggest truths about who we are.

Brendon’s passing at 51 marked the loss of one of television’s most beloved comedic actors, a man who brought warmth and humor to a show that defined a generation. His final wishes, expressed in his own hand, suggest he remained grounded in what actually mattered: family, trust, and making sure the people closest to him were taken care of.