Eric Richins, a Utah man allegedly killed by his wife, took significant steps to prevent her from inheriting his estate, according to his attorney. Prosecutors claim Kouri Richins, 33, poisoned her husband with fentanyl in March 2022 while their three children slept. Estate-planning attorney Kristal Bowman-Carter revealed that Eric made "highly unusual" alterations to his will, removing Kouri as a beneficiary and naming his sister and father instead. Family members reported that Eric feared for his life after Kouri allegedly attempted to poison him previously.

Bowman-Carter stated that Eric initially sought her services in 2018 for a business agreement and later, in 2020, for estate planning. He expressed concerns about Kouri's alleged financial mismanagement and wanted to ensure his sons were protected. He believed Kouri's financial decisions posed a risk to their children's future.

Kouri's defense attorney argued that financial mismanagement doesn't equate to murder. However, prosecutors highlighted Kouri's purchase of multiple life insurance policies on Eric totaling nearly $2 million. Furthermore, Eric had designated his sister as his healthcare agent before changing it back to Kouri. He also stipulated that Kouri receive the minimum inheritance required by law and have no control over her or her children's share of the estate, appointing his sister and father as successor trustees.

In 2022, Eric discovered Kouri had changed the beneficiary of his $2 million life insurance policy to herself. He promptly reversed this change, designating his business partner as the beneficiary instead. Court documents indicate the couple clashed over Kouri's plan to purchase and flip a $2 million mansion. After Eric's death, Kouri finalized the mansion purchase. She later authored a children's book about coping with loss.

Bowman-Carter recalled Kouri's angry reaction upon learning about the will's provisions, claiming the house as her own. The attorney clarified that the property belonged to the trust. A judge has denied Kouri bail.