D'Wayne Wiggins' Children Challenge Cousin's Control of $700K Estate

Probate dispute emerges over R&B singer's estate a year after his death

Mar. 10, 2026 at 5:36pm

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A probate dispute has emerged over the estate of D'Wayne Wiggins, co-founder of the R&B group Tony! Toni! Toné!, one year after his death in 2025. Wiggins' children claim they were disinherited in favor of their cousin, Veleta Savannah, and allege Savannah barred them from Wiggins' home and withdrew $20,000 from his bank account after his passing. The estate is estimated at $700,000 and includes royalties from the group's hit songs.

Why it matters

Celebrity estate cases often face complex legal challenges regarding the future worth of music rights, royalties, and control of an artist's assets among relatives. This dispute highlights the ongoing obstacles families can encounter in governing an artist's estate and legacy.

The details

Court filings show Wiggins' daughter Ilahn and her siblings Dylan and Jaden claim their father's final will was drafted and executed while he was receiving end-of-life care and under the influence of heavy medications that may have altered his mental state. Savannah disputes that claim, saying Wiggins knowingly chose to disinherit his children. A trial has been set for September.

  • D'Wayne Wiggins died on March 7, 2025 in Oakland, California.
  • The probate dispute emerged one year after Wiggins' death.

The players

D'Wayne Wiggins

Co-founder of the R&B group Tony! Toni! Toné! who passed away in 2025 at the age of 64 after a private battle with bladder cancer.

Ilahn Wiggins

Daughter of D'Wayne Wiggins who is challenging the will that disinherited her and her siblings.

Dylan and Jaden

Children of D'Wayne Wiggins who are also challenging the will that disinherited them.

Veleta Savannah

Cousin of D'Wayne Wiggins who was named the beneficiary of his will, which the children are disputing.

Dori Wiggins

D'Wayne Wiggins' wife, whose marriage to him just before his passing may complicate future estate proceedings.

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What’s next

A trial has been set for September to determine the validity of D'Wayne Wiggins' final will and the distribution of his $700,000 estate.

The takeaway

This probate dispute highlights the complex legal challenges that can arise in governing a celebrity's estate, particularly regarding the future worth of music rights and royalties, and the ongoing obstacles families face in maintaining transparency and control over an artist's legacy.