Jimmy Buffett's Widow Appeals Court Order Granting Co-Trustee Access to Late Singer's $275M Trust

Jane Buffett claims a Florida court has given her co-trustee a "blank check" to "raid" her late husband's trust

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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Jane Buffett, the widow of Jimmy Buffett, has appealed a Florida court order allowing a co-trustee of the late singer's $275 million trust to pay legal costs using the trust's funds. The appeal marks the latest development in an escalating legal battle between Jane Buffett and Richard Mozenter, Buffett's longtime financial adviser and co-trustee, over control of the estate.

Why it matters

This case highlights the complexities and potential conflicts that can arise when managing a high-profile celebrity estate, especially when the surviving spouse and a longtime advisor are named as co-trustees with differing views on how to handle the trust's assets.

The details

Buffett named Jane, his wife of 46 years, and Mozenter as co-trustees before his death in 2023. They are now each seeking to remove the other from their roles overseeing the trust. Jane filed an appeal on Thursday, Feb. 26, with Florida's Fourth District Court of Appeals, seeking relief from a Feb. 18 order issued by Palm Beach County Circuit Judge Charles E. Burton granting Mozenter's request to use trust assets to pay 'reasonable attorneys' fees and costs.' In the same ruling, Burton denied Jane's cross-motion seeking to block Mozenter from using trust funds and recover $2 million she claims he already spent on legal fees.

  • On Feb. 26, Burton denied Jane's request to stay his earlier order, clearing the way for Mozenter to continue using trust funds to pay his legal fees while the case proceeds.
  • Jane filed her appeal with Florida's Fourth District Court of Appeals on Feb. 26.

The players

Jane Buffett

The widow of Jimmy Buffett and a co-trustee of the late singer's $275 million trust.

Richard Mozenter

Jimmy Buffett's longtime financial adviser and co-trustee of the late singer's $275 million trust.

Judge Charles E. Burton

The Palm Beach County Circuit judge who issued the order granting Mozenter's request to use trust assets to pay legal fees.

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What they’re saying

“Every dollar Mr. Mozenter spends on his litigation against Jane is a dollar taken from the Trust that Jimmy established to support her. The Trust may never be able to recover this money.”

— Jane Buffett

“If Mrs. Buffett is truly concerned about Mr. Mozenter exhausting the Trust's assets through the payment of legal fees, she should cease wasting the Court's time and the Trust's money with wholly unnecessary motion practice and focus on resolving this action as swiftly and economically as possible.”

— Richard Mozenter

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges that can arise when managing a high-profile celebrity estate, especially when the surviving spouse and a longtime advisor are named as co-trustees with differing views. The legal battle over Jimmy Buffett's $275 million trust raises questions about trust administration, estate planning, and the importance of clear communication and alignment among trustees.