Now that Ms. Stewart has been convicted on criminal charges, the would-be heirs have begun measuring that throne very carefully.

Other would-be heirs had been put through similar hardships before.

The society was overwhelmed with litigation on the part of would-be heirs.

Down through the decades, various would-be heirs tried to claim ownership, without success, and the French administration kept running the hotel, saying it was applying the income toward interest on the fine.

Mr. McGovern's would-be heirs clearly agree.

Meanwhile, a would-be heir to the Puccini wealth had entered the scene.

Attempts to invalidate it by his would-be heirs were unsuccessful, and the bulk of Millar's fortune eventually went to four women.

None of the would-be heirs proved convincing, and the estate of $418.461 was deposited in the Adams County, Illinois, treasury.

In addition, the Society faced litigation from previous members and would-be heirs.

Over the years, scores of would-be heirs have been deceived by charlatans who prey upon their gullibility with promises of riches.