Jimi Hendrix passed away in 1970, but litigation surrounding his estate continues to this very day. We try and give our clients an idea of how painful, expensive, and unending estate litigation can be, hoping this will motivate them to create or update their estate planning documents. For today’s motivation, here is a condensed view of the headache surrounding the Hendrix family estate planning feud.
When Jimi Hendrix died without a will, all of the rock star’s money went to his father, Al, according to intestacy laws. The brunt of the estate litigation has swirled around Al Hendrix’s will. Al left control of the estate to Janie Hendrix, her cousin Robert Hendrix, and some of Al Hendrix’s other children. Janie then started a multimillion-dollar company called Experience Hendrix. Mere days after Al’s death the family began fighting for control of the estate. Leon Hendrix, Jimi Hendrix’s brother, sought to overturn their father’s will and gain control of about a quarter of the $80 million estate. He accused Jimi’s stepsister of undertaking a scheme to disinherit Leon Hendrix and his children. The other side of the family claimed Leon Hendrix was unstable.
In 2002, a judge ruled that Leon Hendrix was not entitled to anything from his father’s will other than a single gold record left to him when his father died in 2002. The judge said that Al Hendrix cut Leon Hendrix from his will because of Leon’s struggle with drug addiction, and because he failed to complete a treatment program, is unwilling to work, and continuously demanded money.
The judge also found that Jimi’s stepsister, Janie, had breached her duties as trustee of the estate by not making payments to the 10 family members for whom trusts were created in Al Hendrix’s will. Janie and her cousin Robert Hendrix had to pay the lawyer’s fees for some of Al Hendrix’s other children who were suing along with Leon Hendrix. Janie retains control of the company, but she no longer has a say in how trust payments are disbursed to the rest of the family. The lawsuit cost millions of dollars that came from Al Hendrix’s estate.
A more recent court ruling involving Washington state’s publicity-rights law found a company called HendrixLicensing.com on the losing end of a battle with the Hendrix estate. The plot thickens, as the company is owned by a partnership that includes Leon, while the estate is controlled by Janie.
To avoid complicated ongoing estate litigation, work with an experienced estate planning attorney. The Astill Law Office has provided high quality legal services for over 30 years. We specialize in estate planning, asset protection, wills, and trusts. If you have any questions about estate planning, contact The Astill Law Office at 801-438-8698.