Paradise Lost: 5 Shocking Allegations In The $275 Million Jimmy Buffett Widow Lawsuit

The tranquil world of Margaritaville has been shattered by a vicious legal battle, a year after the passing of its legendary founder, Jimmy Buffett. As of late 2024 and into 2025, the late singer’s widow, Jane Buffett, has initiated a contentious lawsuit to remove the co-trustee of his massive $275 million estate, alleging a shocking pattern of financial mismanagement and professional misconduct. This high-stakes dispute pits the woman who stood by Buffett for 46 years against his longtime financial confidant, turning the singer’s meticulously planned estate into a complex, multi-state legal warzone. The core of the conflict revolves around the lucrative family trust, which holds the bulk of the "Margaritaville" empire's assets. The legal filings reveal a deep and personal chasm between the two individuals entrusted with protecting Jimmy Buffett’s financial legacy, forcing a private family matter into the public courts of both Florida and California.

The Key Players: Biography of the Buffett Estate Battle

The legal drama is centered on two co-trustees of the Jimmy Buffett family trust: his widow and his financial advisor. Understanding their roles is crucial to grasping the depth of this dispute.

Jane Buffett (née Jane Slagsvol)

• Full Name: Jane Slagsvol Buffett
• Born: 1951 in Columbia, South Carolina
• Role in Estate: Co-Trustee and primary beneficiary of the family trust during her lifetime.
• Marriage to Jimmy Buffett: Married in 1977, after meeting during a spring break trip. Their marriage lasted 46 years until his death.
• Children: Together, they have three children: Savannah Jane, Sarah Delaney (Delaney), and an adopted son, Cameron Marley.
• Early Career: She was instrumental in improving the professional look and stage presence of the Coral Reefer Band in the early days of Buffett's career.
• Current Legal Status: Petitioner in the lawsuit seeking the removal of co-trustee Richard Mozenter.

Richard Mozenter

• Role in Estate: Co-Trustee of the $275 Million Trust.
• Professional Background: Longtime financial advisor, accountant, and business manager for Jimmy Buffett.
• Relationship with Jimmy Buffett: A trusted confidant who managed the complex financial structure of the singer's vast business interests, including Margaritaville Holdings and his private company, Strange Bird Inc.
• Current Legal Status: Respondent in the lawsuit, who has filed a counter-suit to remove Jane Buffett as a trustee.

Jimmy Buffett, who passed away in September 2023 at the age of 76, left behind an estate valued at approximately $275 million. This fortune includes significant real property, interests in hotels, restaurants, cruise ships, and casinos—all part of the laid-back, yet highly profitable, Margaritaville brand. His estate plan aimed to provide for Jane, with their children—Savannah Jane, Delaney, and Cameron Marley—named as the ultimate beneficiaries upon her passing. Each child was also reportedly set to receive a separate $2 million trust.

The Five Core Allegations Driving the Lawsuit

The dispute, filed in courts including the Los Angeles Superior Court and West Palm Beach, Florida, centers on Jane Buffett’s claims that Richard Mozenter has failed to fulfill his fiduciary duties since the singer's death. The allegations paint a picture of a breakdown in trust and a lack of transparency in managing the massive financial empire.

1. Withholding Critical Financial Information

Jane Buffett alleges that Richard Mozenter has consistently blocked her access to essential financial documents and information regarding the trust’s assets and management. As a co-trustee and the primary lifetime beneficiary, she claims she has not received the necessary updates or details to properly oversee the estate. This alleged lack of transparency is a core component of her argument for his removal, suggesting he has acted unilaterally rather than collaboratively.

2. Allegations of Mismanagement of Trust Assets

The lawsuit specifically claims that Mozenter has mismanaged the assets within the $275 million trust. While specific details of the alleged mismanagement are protected within court documents, this claim suggests that the financial advisor’s decisions have not been in the best interest of the trust or its beneficiaries, potentially jeopardizing the long-term value of the Buffett empire.

3. Charging Unreasonable and Excessive Fees

Another key point of contention is the fees Mozenter has allegedly charged the trust for his services. Jane Buffett's legal team contends that these fees are "unreasonable" and "self-serving." The size and complexity of the estate mean that even a small percentage of excessive fees could amount to millions of dollars, significantly diminishing the inheritance intended for the Buffett family.

4. Retaliation and Pressure to Resign

The legal battle escalated when, according to Jane Buffett’s filings, Mozenter hired an attorney who then pressured her to resign from her position as co-trustee. Her lawsuit describes this action as a form of retaliation for her attempts to gain access to the financial records and question his management decisions. She is seeking a court order to stop his efforts to remove her and instead, remove him.

5. Mozenter’s Counter-Claim: Jimmy Buffett’s Concerns

In a dramatic turn, Richard Mozenter fired back with his own lawsuit, seeking to remove Jane Buffett as a trustee. His counter-claim introduces a highly sensitive element: the allegation that Jimmy Buffett had, on multiple occasions, expressed "concerns" about Jane’s ability to manage and control his assets. This counter-allegation suggests that the singer himself had reservations about his wife’s capacity for financial oversight, adding a layer of personal tragedy to the already bitter legal dispute.

The Current Status and Path to Resolution

The legal proceedings have been described by some sources as a "vicious legal battle," highlighting the deep animosity between the two parties. This is a classic example of how even the most careful estate planning—which often involves naming a family member (Jane) and a professional advisor (Mozenter) as co-trustees—can lead to conflict when trust breaks down. The good news for the family is that the court has taken steps to move toward a resolution. A judge has recently denied Jane Buffett’s request for the immediate suspension of Richard Mozenter, but importantly, the court has ordered both parties into mediation. Mediation is a non-binding process where a neutral third party assists the disputing co-trustees in negotiating a settlement. This step is a common judicial response in complex estate disputes, offering a path to a private resolution that could prevent a lengthy and costly public trial. Given the extensive business interests tied to the Margaritaville brand and the family’s desire for privacy, a mediated settlement is the most likely outcome. The outcome of this legal challenge will have significant implications not only for the estate’s beneficiaries—Jane and her children—but also for the future management and direction of the entire Margaritaville empire, a global brand built on the promise of escaping life’s troubles. For the millions of "Parrotheads," the hope is that this bitter legal fight will soon be over, allowing the legacy of the legendary singer to return to the simple, sun-drenched paradise he created.