Jimmy Buffett’s Widow Sues Co-Trustee Richard Mozenter Over $275M Estate.
Jimmy Buffett’s widow, Jane Buffett, has initiated legal proceedings against Richard Mozenter, co-trustee of the late musician’s $275 million estate.
In Jane Buffett’s lawsuit, she accuses Mozenter of mismanaging trust assets, withholding key financial information, and excluding her from critical decisions regarding the estate’s administration.
What began as an internal dispute between co-trustees has now escalated into formal litigation, with Jane alleging a serious breakdown in communication, transparency, and fiduciary trust.
“I Was Kept in the Dark”
In a court petition filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, Jane says Mozenter has repeatedly failed to provide financial transparency.
According to her legal team, it took more than a year for him to inform her she’d be receiving around $2 million annually from the trust, despite the estate having already paid out over $14 million in distributions. Jane Buffett claims these financial decisions were made without her full understanding, consent, or proper disclosure.
More than just numbers, Jane describes Mozenter’s behavior as cold and uncooperative. She accuses him of ignoring her questions, delaying communication, and acting more like an adversary than a partner.
A Fortune Built Beyond the Beach
Jimmy Buffett wasn’t just a musician. He was a branding genius who turned his lifestyle into a business empire. His estate includes a significant stake in the Margaritaville franchise, which spans restaurants, hotels, and resorts across the world.
He also owned private aircraft, valuable real estate, original artwork, and a powerful catalog of music rights.
Jane believes this complex web of assets needs professional, transparent oversight, something she says Mozenter has failed to deliver.
A New Co-Trustee, or More Courtroom Drama?
To fix what she sees as a dysfunctional partnership, Jane is asking the court to remove Mozenter from his role and appoint Daniel Neidich, a seasoned real estate investor and CEO of Dune Real Estate Partners. She argues that Neidich has the experience, temperament, and financial acumen to handle the estate with care and fairness.
Richard Mozenter’s filed a countersuit in Florida, claiming that Jane is the one interfering with the trust’s proper function. In his version of events, she’s disrupted decision-making, delayed processes, and caused financial harm. Now he’s asking a Florida court to remove her from her co-trustee role.
What began as a quiet estate administration is now a two-state legal battle, with the potential to drag on for months, if not years.
A hearing in Los Angeles is scheduled for August 14, where a judge will consider whether Mozenter should be removed. Meanwhile, the Florida countersuit adds another layer of complexity, raising questions about jurisdiction and trustee authority.
Buffett’s Business Legacy
Jimmy Buffett wasn’t just a musician, he was an entrepreneur who transformed a single song into a global lifestyle empire. From frozen margaritas to hotel check-ins, the Margaritaville brand has become a household name, spanning restaurants, resorts, cruises, retirement communities, and consumer products.
Although Buffett sold his Cheeseburger in Paradise chain to Luby’s Inc. back in 2012, he held onto a 20% ownership stake in Margaritaville Holdings, a stake that now sits at the heart of a growing legal battle.
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