Widow, Co-Trustee Clash Over Jimmy Buffett's $275M Estate

The $275 million estate of late singer Jimmy Buffett has become the center of a heated legal battle between his widow, Jane Buffett, and co-trustee Richard Mozenter. Jane Buffett alleges that Mozenter has been hostile, disrespectful, and failed to provide basic financial information about the trust, leaving her uncertain about her finances and accusing him of financial mismanagement and withholding income projections. Mozenter counters by questioning Jane’s ability to manage the trust and has filed a petition to remove her as co-trustee, claiming she has acted uncooperatively. The dispute involves lawsuits filed in both California and Florida, reflecting the geographic spread of Buffett’s ties, especially in Palm Beach, Florida, where he was a longtime resident and business owner. Central to the conflict is the trust’s projected income, reportedly less than $2 million annually, which Jane claims is inconsistent with the trust’s substantial ownership in the Margaritaville brand, accounting for about 20% of the company. This legal battle not only threatens the management of Buffett’s estate but also casts uncertainty over the future of the Margaritaville brand and its associated businesses.