James Gandolfini was a much better family man than Tony Soprano.
The late actor left his son Michael a trust fund with at least $7 million in it, court papers show.
The hefty inheritance was revealed in an affidavit attached to Gandolfini’s will, which was filed late Tuesday in Manhattan Surrogate’s Court.
While Gandoldini left his son all of his clothing and all of his jewelry in his will, he didn’t leave the 13-year-old any cash.
“I have in mind my beloved son,” his will says, but “have made other provisions for him.”
The affidavit, which was signed by Gandolfini’s longtime business manager Valerie Baugh, says as part of his 2002 divorce settlement with Marcella Wudarski, “an insurance trust was created for the benefit of their son.”
That trust owns “a life insurance policy on the father for $7 million,” the affidavit says.
Baugh contends that since Michael is so well provided for by the trust, he doesn’t need the court to appoint a legal guardian to protect his interests as the case winds through the probate process.
It’s known if a judge will feel the same way – especially given the size of Gandolfini’s estate. While the court filings don’t give an estimation of the estate’s value, his net worth has been estimated to be $70 million.
It’s not known whether Gandolfini put any other assets into the trust for Michael in addition to the life insurance policy.
Gandolfini also did not leave any cash for his current wife, Deborah Lin, but the will says she’s also provided for in a trust.
Both Lin and her 9-month-old daughter with Gandolfini, Liliana Ruth Gandolfini, were left 20 percent of the “Sopranos” star’s overall estate in the will, which was signed shortly after the little girl’s birth.
Lin was also left all of her hubby’s personal property.
The big-hearted actor left severable sizable sums to other family and friends.
Nieces Jenna and Laura Antonacci were left $500,000 each.
Friend Thomas Richardson was left $200,000, as was Gandolfini’s long-time assistant, Paulette Bourne. Godson Robert Parish was left $100,000, while pals Fatima Bae and Doug Katz were left $50,000 each.
The will leaves Michael and Liliana 50 percent shares of their father’s home and land in Italy.
“It is my hope and desire that they will continue to own said property and keep it in our family as long as possible,” the filing said.
The will also gives Michael the right of first refusal to buy the family’s multi-million dollar condo on Greenwich Street – and its parking space.
The remaining 60 percent of the estate is supposed to be divvied up equally between Gandolfini’s two sisters, Leta Gandolfini and Johanna Antonacci.
It’s unclear whether the estate will collect royalties from Gandolfini’s film and TV career, or if that money will go into the trusts for his wife and son.
Gandolfini, 51, died of a massive heart attack last month while on a trip to Rome with his son.
bross@nydailynews.com
