Days of our Lives: Stefano’s Final Will Creates Major Problems for EJ?

Days of Our Lives divulges that EJ DiMera (Dan Feuerriegel) just revealed that it’s about time for Stefano DiMera‘s (Joseph Mascolo) last will and testament to be read. And EJ suspects it could cause drama for him and his siblings. Is he right? Is there chaos coming to Salem one last time, thanks to Stefano.

We’re going to dig into Elvis Junior DiMera’s prediction that his dead dad, Stefano, has one last scheme to pit his children against each other in the terms of his will. Let’s dive in!

The Discovery and DNA Confirmation of Stefano DiMera’s Remains on Days of Our Lives

EJ and his siblings Tony DiMera (Thaao Penghlis), Chad DiMera (Billy Flynn), and Kristen DiMera (Stacy Haiduk), and nephew Theo Carver (Cameron Johnson) finally laid Stefano’s remains to rest. Even though their dad had been missing for years and presumed dead, only Dr. Wilhelm Rolf (Richard Wharton) knew for certain that Stefano had passed away.

Kristen discovered his bones. And then Theo and Chad helped excavate them while they were trying to dig their way out of the crypt. Dr. Rolf had interred Stefano remains in the mausoleum But we just found out that local criminal Liam Selejko (Hank Northrop) was hired by Vivian Alamain’s (Louise Sorel) henchman, Klaus, to move supplies into the mausoleum.

Liam said he accidentally spilled a sarcophagus and the bones went out, so he just buried them under the dirt. We know that Rafe Hernandez (Galen Gering) is the one who had the bones DNA tested by the FBI crime lab. And he confirmed to the family they do indeed belong to the late, great Stefano DiMera.

A Complicated Farewell on DOOL: The DiMera Mansion Memorial

EJ, Kristen, Chad, and Tony invited Johnny DiMera (Carson Boatman) and Theo to come over and say goodbye to their Nonno Stefano. They had a simple memorial at the DiMera mansion for anybody who wanted to pay their respects—or in some cases, for those to vent about EJ’s father. Stefano caused decades of heartache and trouble for a lot of people in Salem.

Even the memorial caused drama in the family. Stefano’s grandsons, Theo and Johnny, grieved the loss of an attentive and kind grandfather But Stefano’s children were not all sharing that fond opinion. They had a range of emotions, as each of EJ’s siblings had a different and unique relationship with their father.

Favored Sons and Adopted Heirs: Stefano’s Complex Family Dynamics on Days of our Lives

Kristen and Peter Blake (Dan Gauthier) were adopted by Stefano. He basically stole them But they took after the worst parts of their adopted father. Yet, both Kristen and Peter held grudges against Stefano and the other biological children. Then there’s Tony, who knows full well EJ was their father’s favorite on Days of our Lives.

Tony was also not a biological child of Stefano’s but he was treated like one of Stefano’s own for the most part. However, the Phoenix still didn’t want Tony at the helm of his multinational DiMera Corporation, nor did he want him controlling his vast estate. It is interesting that Stefano didn’t want that, yet it was Tony who went to all the effort to get DiMera Enterprises back for the family. Stefano didn’t have nearly enough faith in him.

Missing Heirs and the Mystery of Stefan DiMera’s Death on Days of our Lives

Meanwhile, Chad has exited Salem with his kids, Thomas DiMera (Cary Christopher) and Charlotte DiMera (Autumn Gendron), for a couple of months. We’re getting a recast Chad and Thomas in April, so Chad is not going to be around for the will reading. He has no interest in running DiMera or having a share of the family business. He’s happy at the Spectator. Still, Stefano could have left Chad a sizable inheritance for him or for the kids.

Several of Stefano’s other children are dead. Most recently killed off was Peter. Now we know Stefan DiMera (Brandon Barash) was held captive by Vivian Alamain (Louise Sorel) until he died But I still don’t buy that. I know there was a DNA test on Stefan’s remains But we all know that Vivian could have moved Jake DiMera’s (Brandon Barash) remains into Stefan or just swapped their headstones. As twins, they would be a DNA match.

EJ DiMera’s Secret Inheritance: The Return of the Phoenix Ring

Despite what the will says, it’s already pretty clear that EJ DiMera is Stefano’s heir apparent But only he and Dr. Wilhelm Rolf know that. EJ siblings had taken off by the time Dr. Rolf showed up to the mausoleum with a special bequest for EJ direct from his dad.

Dr. Rolf said that Stefano wanted him to hand EJ his original Phoenix ring when the time was right. And Dr. Rolf decided the time was right. EJ has not told his family that Stefano’s ring was hand-delivered to him.

It has been spotted But not by his siblings yet. EJ getting the ring may also be mentioned in the will. And that might be when it comes out. In the meantime, Kristen or Tony might see him wearing it. And have a reaction.

Will Gabi Hernandez Claim a Share of the DiMera Fortune on Days of Our Lives?

Right now, EJ is wondering if his father is going to wreak havoc from beyond the grave one last time. EJ expects the will is going to pit Stefano DiMera’s kids against each other: Kristen DiMera, Tony DiMera, Chad DiMera, EJ DiMera. And possibly Megan Hathaway (Miranda Wilson).

Plus, if Stefan was in line to inherit, I think we’re looking at Gabi Hernandez (Cherie Jimenez) getting to cash in. And get a sizable chunk of the estate. Because her divorce from Stefan DiMera was forged and therefore invalid. That could spark some contention between EJ, Kristen, and Tony. Because they may feel that Gabi doesn’t deserve the money.

Stefan and Gabi were on the outs when he was kidnapped by Vivian. And whisked to Alamainia, where Vivian doctored up the divorce papers. None of them were fans of Stefan or his twin, Jake. They were late to the party and basically treated as “discount DiMeras.”

Loyal Employees and Unexpected Bequests in Stefano’s Will

We could see EJ and the others contesting the will. And trying to stop Gabi from getting a share of the estate. It’s already low-key assumed that EJ is going to be head of the family. Tony is the eldest But he knows that EJ was the favored son. Stefano could say everybody shares equally, but that doesn’t sound like the Phoenix.

I’m also interested to see if longtime loyal employees like Dr. Rolf and Rita Lesley (Maggie Carney) are going to get a little something in Stefano’s will. If Lexie Carver (Renee Jones) is the one in the big test tube. And she’s revived, they may have to reallocate retroactively to give her a share of the estate, although she probably wouldn’t want it.

We’ll have to wait and see if the grandkids that Stefano knew about are named in the will, maybe with provisions for grandchildren born after that he didn’t know about. I don’t think Chanel Dupree (Raven Bowens) is going to want Johnny to take one DiMera dime. But we’ll see.

DOOL: Stefano’s Final Scheme: Hunger Games in Salem?

Since EJ is expecting chaos, I wonder if there’s some bizarre Hunger Games element to the bequest. Not a literal fight to the death—although it is Stefano DiMera, so never say never. But it could be some sort of competition to see who gets the lion’s share of it. It would be a devious last game their dad plays with them.

Finally, I wonder if Stefano is going to have any oddball bequests, like leaving something to Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall), his “Queen of the Night.” Maybe a first edition Arabian Nights or something. Or perhaps mean things left behind to people he despised.

We could see that robotic eyeball left if he knew about that. I’m trying to remember the timing of when Dr. Rolf said Stefano died. Because he died well after everybody thought he did. I’m fuzzy on the actual timeline from when Stefano shucked off his mortal coil.

I do think that Stefano leaving things to people he hated as one last final insult would be pretty interesting. The reading of the will is just around the corner. I expect it before the end of February sweeps, so stay tuned.