Most people living in Connecticut would benefit from estate planning as a way to protect their valuable assets. However, one man has taken estate planning to a new level in an effort to shield his assets from a civil lawsuit.

John Goodman is the founder of the International Polo Club Palm Beach. He is involved in a wrongful death lawsuit for the death of a 23-year-old man in 2010. According to authorities, Goodman was driving drunk when he ran through a stop sign and crashed into the young man.

Goodman faces DUI manslaughter charges, vehicular homicide and leaving the scene of a crash. In addition to the criminal charges, the family of the victim has brought a wrongful death lawsuit against the polo club founder.

Goodman previously set up a trust for his two sons. A judge ruled that the assets in the trust will not be included in any settlement.

However, in a surreal twist, Goodman adopted his adult girlfriend, 42-year-old Heather Laruso Kelley. Through the adoption, she is now entitled to at least a third of the trust's assets.

Goodman's attorney says he adopted his girlfriend in order to provide his family with a secure future. However, the attorney for the victim's family says he adopted her for his own financial benefit.

The judge presiding over the civil lawsuit calls Goodman's actions surreal and unprecedented.

The civil trial will begin at the end of March. Goodman's criminal trial is scheduled to begin in early March. He could face up to 30 years behind bars.

Source: The Palm Beach Post, "Polo club founder Goodman adopts his adult girlfriend," Jason Schultz, Feb. 2, 2012