The drama around Jimmy Buffett’s $275 million estate has taken a tense turn as his widow, Jane Buffett, files a lawsuit against Richard Mozenter, the accountant and co-trustee she accuses of mishandling the trust.
Jane is upset and confused by the ongoing battle, saying her late husband “never would have wanted this” kind of conflict. After being married for 46 years, Jane trusted Jimmy deeply, and now she’s fighting to protect her rights and the family’s legacy amid a struggle over control of the massive estate.
According to Jane’s complaint filed on June 3, Mozenter has been “plainly deficient” in his role as co-trustee since Jimmy’s death in September 2023. The complaint claims Mozenter has been hostile and uncooperative toward Jane, refusing to provide basic financial information despite repeated requests. Jane alleges that instead of helping her understand the projected income and management of the estate, Mozenter has been stonewalling for over 16 months, leaving her frustrated and in the dark about her finances.
A close family friend told PEOPLE that Jimmy and Jane shared a strong bond built on trust, and it’s heartbreaking to see Jane treated this way. The friend said Jimmy relied heavily on Jane when making important decisions throughout his life and career. “There’s just no way that this is what he would have wanted to happen,” the friend said, emphasizing how reasonable Jane’s demands have been and how baffling it is that Mozenter has refused to cooperate.
Jane’s lawsuit also paints a picture of disrespect, accusing Mozenter of belittling and condescending to her when she made what should have been reasonable requests for information she was entitled to receive. This isn’t just about money-it’s about trust and respect, which Jane says Mozenter has repeatedly failed to show.
Jimmy Buffett created a series of trusts over the years with the goal of protecting his family after his death. His trust was originally set up more than 30 years ago and was last updated in 2023. The estate plan set up a marital trust, which would be administered by Jane and an independent co-trustee, Mozenter. The trust specifies that the bulk of Jimmy’s assets, which amount to $275 million, were to fund this marital trust.
Jane and Jimmy share three children-Savannah, Delaney, and Cameron-each of whom holds a one-third share of the remaining federal estate tax exemption, worth about $2 million each. But the management of the rest of the assets, and the income from them, has become a source of frustration for Jane as Mozenter allegedly fails to provide clear and timely information about what she should expect financially.
Jane’s first meeting with Mozenter took place just a month after Jimmy’s passing, but instead of clarity, it reportedly raised more questions. Jane expected guidance to help her navigate her new financial reality but was met with delays, excuses, and little transparency. This ongoing lack of cooperation has led her to take legal action to remove Mozenter as co-trustee and to protect her interests and those of her family.
Mozenter and his firm have been paid nearly $2 million for their services managing the estate, which adds fuel to the frustration over his alleged stonewalling and hostile behavior. So far, Mozenter has not responded publicly to these serious accusations.
As this estate drama unfolds, it’s clear that the once-close-knit Buffett family is now facing a tough battle behind the scenes. Jane’s fight isn’t just about money or legal technicalities-it’s about preserving the trust and respect Jimmy Buffett built over decades and protecting the family he loved.
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