Court Fight Puts Control of Jimmy Buffett's $275 Million Estate in Limbo

Litigation has erupted over the late singer-songwriter and Margaritaville entrepreneur Jimmy Buffett’s roughly $275 million estate, with the court expected to decide who will administer the fortune he directed into a trust. The dispute has placed Buffett’s widow at the center of a battle that legal observers say could reshape how the estate is managed and how quickly heirs receive proceeds. Buffett’s will instructs that his assets be placed in a trust, a standard step intended to streamline distribution and preserve privacy. Attorneys following the case say the fight underscores the importance of detailed estate plans, noting that even explicit instructions can be challenged if questions arise over control or interpretation. A ruling on the administrator is pending; until then, management of Buffett’s brand holdings and other assets remains in limbo.