"If the conviction is for anything less than first- or second-degree murder there is going to be a major legal battle here," said Northbrook attorney Mary Vanek, who has argued for the enforcement of the slayer statute in Cook County probate court. "But I think the trustee can make a good argument that Heather is not entitled to inherit if she was in any way involved in the murder, because the intent of the law is to prohibit wrongdoers from reaping the benefit of their wrongdoing."