Troy Phelan, a 78-year-old, eccentric and the 10th-richest man in America, is about to read his last will and testament, divvying up an estate worth $11 billion. Phelan's three ex-wives and their grasping spawn all have their eyes glued to digital monitors as they watch the old man read his verdict. But Phelan shocks everyone by naming a mysterious woman as beneficiary—a missionary living deep in the wilds of Brazil. Nate O'Riley—a washed-up, alcoholic litigator—is dispatched to the Brazilian wetlands in search of the mysterious heir, setting in motion the legal morality tale of a contested will, sin, and redemption.