B.B. King’s will to be contested by family members

New York residents who were fans of the late blues musician B.B. King may be interested to learn that there is a dispute over his will. Hours before a Las Vegas memorial service was held for King on May 23, an attorney who is representing some of King’s family members issued a public statement. The attorney said that his clients plan to challenge King’s will and the actions of his named executor.

B.B. King’s executor is a woman who also served as King’s business manager before his death. According to a group of King’s family members, the woman was not qualified to serve as the executor of King’s will. The family also alleges that King’s executor misappropriated million of dollars, lied and exercised undue influence over King’s will. It is unclear if King’s estate included any trust assets .

The family’s attorney is representing five of King’s adult daughters and other heirs. So far, King’s executor has not responded to the allegations from King’s family. Before King’s memorial, she did say that she hoped the service would be calm, peaceful and respectful.

Naming the right person to serve as the executor of a will is an important part of estate planning. The executor will be responsible for disbursing the testator’s assets properly and handling many other tasks of estate administration. A person who has been named the executor has a legal responsibility to adhere to the exact instructions in a person’s will. An executor who has questions about the duties that are required may want to seek the advice of an estate administration attorney.

Source: U.S. News & World Report, ” B.B. King family group accuses estate executor of ‘undue influence’ at death of blues great ,” Ken Ritter, Associated Press, May 23, 2015