Legal wrangling over estate of Jimmy Buffett turns his widow’s huge inheritance into a cautionary tale
Buffett’s estate plan named Jane and longtime financial adviser Richard Mozenter as co-trustees of that trust. However, in June 2025 both filed petitions to remove the other. Jane claims Mozenter has withheld financial information, acted disrespectfully, and paid himself over $1.7 million in fees in 2024 despite poor trust performance. Conversely, Mozenter argues that Jane was intentionally given a non-controlling trustee role by Jimmy Buffett and has been uncooperative, which he says threatens the trust’s administration.
Experts say this dispute highlights two important estate planning lessons: first, the importance of choosing the right trustees, weighing professionalism and neutrality against cost and family harmony; and second, the need to include clear removal provisions, fee structures, and conflict resolution procedures to prevent future disputes between trustees.
Ultimately, Buffett’s detailed will and trust arrangement have not prevented legal battles. This case shows that even with a thoughtful estate plan, unclear roles and safeguards can turn a generous inheritance into a legal cautionary tale.
For more information see Reid Kress Weisbord and Naomi Cahn, “Legal wrangling over estate of Jimmy Buffett turns his widow’s huge inheritance into a cautionary tale,” The Conversation, July 2, 2025.