The estate of the late musician Jimmy Buffett is currently subject to a $275 million legal battle, according to new reports.
The Margaritaville musician died in 2023 from complications of Merkel-cell carcinoma, a rare form of skin cancer. Since 2025, his wife of 46 years, Jane Buffett, has been engaged in a lawsuit against Richard Mozenter, the co-trustee of the trust that owned Buffett’s assets. The suit is alleged to be over the latter party’s mismanagement of said assets.
Will Jane Buffett control her late husband’s fortune?
Jane is suing to remove Richard Mozenter as a co-trustee, according to legal documents obtained by Radar Online. The filing alleges that Jimmy’s longtime financial advisor failed to “act responsibly and perform his duties.”
Moreover, Jane’s legal team states that Richard had previously been requested to remove himself as co-trustee. However, a counter-legal petition from Richard claims that Jimmy wasn’t confident in his wife’s “ability to manage and control his assets.” This is why he was brought on as an executor, his new suit claims.
“Mr. Mozenter has belittled, disrespected and condescended to Mrs. Buffett in response to her reasonable requests for information,” a filing on behalf of the widow states. The financier has behaved in an “unprofessional and combative” manner towards Jane, her legal team claims.
Jimmy’s estate is worth an estimated $275 million, according to calculations. These include over 20 million records sold worldwide, his novels, and the Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville restaurant chain.
Additionally, legal documents claim Richard told Jane the $275 million trust “would not cover her annual expenses.” She was told to “consider selling off personal real estate and changing her lifestyle,” they allege. So far, the ongoing lawsuits have reportedly cost the Buffett family $2 million in less than a year. This only includes the legal battle, funded from the late star’s trust.
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