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Jimmy Buffett’s widow locked in a battle over his estate. Here’s the latest

BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 27: Jimmy Buffett and Jane Slagsvol attend the 2022 Vanity Fair Oscar Party hosted by Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on March 27, 2022 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 27: Jimmy Buffett and Jane Slagsvol attend the 2022 Vanity Fair Oscar Party hosted by Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on March 27, 2022 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic) Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

While Jimmy Buffett was all about that laid back Florida Keys life — his widow is going through some not so bright and sunny things.

Jane Slagsvol, who married the beloved singer in 1977, has been battling over Buffett’s $275 million estate since his death of melanoma complications in September 2023.

Slagsvol is at serious legal odds with the estate’s co-trustee, Richard “Rick” Mozenter, who was Buffett’s longtime financial advisor and friend.

Late last month, the mother of three asked a judge to stop Mozenter from setting up a new trust into which he planned to transfer the famous couple’s marital assets, calling his move an “unconscionable power grab.” The 74 year old wants a special fiduciary appointed to act as an independent administrator.

On Monday, in Palm Beach County Court, Los Angeles-based Mozenter filed a response, arguing that transferring assets to a new trust is not ony legal, but necessary to protect the money.

Mozenter’s attorneys argued that the “Come Monday” crooner made him an independent trustee because he had concerns “regarding Jane’s ability to manage and control his assets,” reports the Palm Beach Daily News, which viewed the court documents.

The CPA’s large role in her financial future made Slagsvol “very angry,” “hostile,” and “uncooperative” in his attempts to administer the Trust, the PBDN adds.

Mozenter adds that the former model’s allegations are “unfounded and lodged [in] an attempt to gain control over the Marital Trust that her husband did not want her to have.”

Buffett amassed his wealth with not only his musical career but his Margaritaville brand, named after one of his most famous songs, which includes restaurants, resorts and merch.

A hearing on the matter is set for Monday, Aug. 18, the Palm Beach Post reports.

This story was originally published August 13, 2025 at 2:18 PM.

Madeleine Marr
Miami Herald
Celebrity/real time news reporter Madeleine Marr has been with The Miami Herald since 2003. She has covered such features as travel, fashion and food. In 2007, she helped launch the newspaper’s daily People Page, attending red carpet events, awards ceremonies and press junkets; interviewing some of the biggest names in show business; and hosting her own online show. She is originally from New York City.
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