Jimmy Buffett's Widow Sues Co-Trustee Over $275M Trust

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Jane Buffett, the widow of singer Jimmy Buffett, has filed a new lawsuit against her co-trustee Richard "Rick" Mozenter, alleging that he has withheld financial records and charged millions in fees from the late singer's $275 million trust. The legal battle over the trust has been ongoing since mid-2025, with both sides filing dueling petitions in California and Florida.

Why it matters

The dispute highlights the complexities and potential conflicts that can arise in the management of large family trusts, especially when there are disagreements between trustees. The outcome of this case could set precedents around trust accounting standards and the limits on trustee fees in Florida.

The details

According to the new complaint filed by Jane Buffett on April 6, Mozenter first provided a "messy set of online account statements" in October 2026, and by the end of November 2026, he had paid roughly $6.4 million from the trust to himself, his firm, and outside counsel. Jane Buffett's attorney, Matthew Porpora, told the court that Mozenter refused to sign a tolling agreement, prompting the new filing to preserve claims before the statute of limitations expired.

• In mid-2025, both sides filed dueling petitions in California and Florida accusing each other of mismanaging the marital trust.
• On June 2, 2025, Mozenter first sued in Palm Beach County.
• On April 6, 2026, Jane Buffett filed a new complaint in Palm Beach County.
• A bench trial is scheduled for January 19, 2027.

What’s next

The judge has urged the co-trustees to keep working on a tolling arrangement while appeals and discovery grind on. More motions and document fights are likely as they argue over the accounting details and the scope of fees that can be charged to the trust.