**Title: Legal Battle Erupts Over Jimmy Buffett’s $275 Million Estate**

**Article:**

A fierce legal battle has exploded over the management of Jimmy Buffett's $275 million estate, with his widow, Jane Buffett, and his former business manager, Rick Mozenter, each seeking to remove the other from their roles as co-trustees. The disagreement has escalated into dueling court actions, highlighting accusations of hostility and mismanagement.

Jane Buffett, who was married to Jimmy for 46 years, became the sole beneficiary of a marital trust containing the majority of the singer-songwriter's assets when he passed away in September 2023 at the age of 76. This trust encompasses various holdings, including real estate and a significant 20% stake in the Margaritaville island-themed hospitality company. Despite her new role as co-trustee alongside Mozenter, their working relationship quickly deteriorated.

Mozenter, an accountant from the business management firm Gelfand Rennert & Feldman, claims in a Florida court petition that he was Jimmy's "trusted financial advisor" for over three decades. According to his filing, Jimmy specifically designed the trust to limit Jane's control due to concerns over her financial management abilities. Mozenter asserts that Jane's subsequent anger has resulted in hostile and uncooperative behavior, such as refusing to meet with him and interfering with his duties. This includes removing Jimmy's long-time law firm and engaging in actions that led to costly settlements.

Conversely, Jane’s attorneys paint a starkly different picture in a California court petition. They accuse Mozenter of being "openly hostile and adversarial," failing to fulfill even basic trustee tasks, and withholding critical financial information. Jane recounts requesting financial details shortly after Jimmy's death in October 2023 but waiting 16 months for Mozenter to respond. When he did, the estimated annual income she would receive from the trust was less than $2 million—far below expectations given the trust's substantial assets.

Jane’s concerns mounted when she learned the trust had received over $14 million from Margaritaville in 18 months, yet the income she was promised fell short. Additional disputes arose over Mozenter's refusal to sell an underused property in the Bahamas that costs $300,000 annually to maintain. Mozenter has also billed over $1.7 million in fees, which Jane’s lawyers argue is excessive given his alleged mismanagement.

Due to this ongoing conflict, Jane requested Mozenter's resignation as co-trustee on May 30, 2025, a plea he rejected. Both parties are now seeking court intervention to resolve their differences, with Mozenter also pushing for Jane’s removal as the personal representative of Jimmy's estate.

As the legal conflict continues, the outcome will determine who will ultimately control the substantial assets left behind by the beloved musician. Each side remains adamant about their stance, setting the stage for a legal showdown.