Nevada may seem like an odd backdrop for the Murdoch battle, given that the family does not have any obvious ties to the Silver State.
But the state provides one of the most confidential legal settings for matters including family trust disputes, as it allows cases to unfold behind closed doors.
It has a “close on demand” statute that allows parties involved in certain sensitive cases to request that court proceedings be sealed from public access, ensuring complete privacy.
Arash Sadat, a probate lawyer with experience in family trust matters, said such cases were often deeply personal and emotional.
“So it creates honestly the most contentious cases that you’ll see,” he said.
He told the BBC that estate planning is usually done in a way in which the trust could be changed by the family.
“Here what you have is an irrevocable trust that Rupert Murdoch is attempting to change… there’s a huge amount on the line,” he said.
