Priscilla Presley Files To Take Control Of Lisa Marie Presley's Estate

Priscilla Presley, the former wife of late singer Elvis Presley, has filed to take control of daughter Lisa Marie Presley’s estate, according to new court documents obtained by The Blast.

The American singer-songwriter passed away suddenly on January 12 after suffering a cardiac arrest in her home in Calabasas, California. She was rushed to West Hills Hospital in Los Angeles but passed away at the age of 54.

According to court documents obtained by The Blast, Lisa Marie Presley appointed her mother, Priscilla Presley, and former business manager Barry Siegel as co-Trustees of her estate in a 2010 restatement. On February 8, 2020, both Barry and Priscilla consented to serve as co-Trustees in another legal document.

After Lisa Marie Presley passed away, her mother discovered that another document existed that seemed to be an amendment to the 2010 Trust that she had previously consented to. This document was dated March 11, 2016.

This new legal document removed Priscilla and Barry as both current and future successors of the Trust. Instead, this new document named Lisa Marie's daughter, Riley Keough, and her son, Benjamin Keough, as successor co-Trustees of her estate. Sadly, her son Benjamin took his own life in July 2020 and was buried at Graceland in Tennessee, where Lisa Marie Presley was also laid to rest.

Priscilla Presley notes in the court papers, obtained by The Blast, that there are "many issues surrounding the authenticity and validity of the Purported 2016 Amendment." One of these issues is that this amendment was allegedly never delivered to Priscilla while Lisa Marie Presley was alive, which was required by the terms of the original trust.

The date of the 2016 Purported Trust Amendment was also added via PDF on March 14, which raises questions about when the document was actually created. The 2016 Amendment, which was allegedly signed by Lisa Marie Presley, spelled her mother's name wrong, adding another layer of suspicion to this case.

There are also no provisions listed in the Purported 2016 Amendment on the signature page. Priscilla states that Lisa Marie Presley's signature "appears inconsistent with her usual and customary signature." To top things off, she noted that the Purported 2016 Amendment was neither witnessed nor notarized.

Based on this information, Priscilla contends that "the Purported 2016 Amendment is an invalid modification of the restated 2010 trust and that the restated 2010 trust is the authoritative and controlling document." As such, she is asking a court to order that the 2016 Purported Amendment is invalid. She wants them to confirm and validate the initial 2010 trust that would put her back in charge of her daughter's estate.

The Blast has also learned the Presley Charitable Foundation is a contingent beneficiary of the Trust and Michael Lockwood, the father of Lisa Marie Presley’s twins Finley and Harper, will receive notice.

In a touching Twitter tribute, Priscilla wrote, “Thank you all for your condolences, you have touched me with your words. It has been a very difficult time but just knowing your love is out there makes a difference.”

“To YOU, I’m truly overwhelmed with your words, your prayers, your love and your support. Thank you from the bottom of my heart in trying to help me get through this loss,” she continued. “Every parent who has lost a daughter or son knows what a dark painstaking journey it is.”

The estate of late singer Michael Jackson also paid tribute to Lisa Marie Presley after her tragic passing. They were only married for two years and went their separate ways in 1996.

In a short statement made to The Blast, John Branca and John McClain from the estate of Michael Jackson wrote, “We are saddened by the sudden tragic loss of Michael’s former wife, Lisa Marie Presley. Michael cherished the special bond they enjoyed as apparent in the official video for ‘You Are Not Alone’, and was comforted by Lisa Marie’s generous love, concern and care during their times together.“

“Bringing these two special people together was a memorable moment resulting in a union full of genuine affection and care for each other. My deepest sympathies remain with Lisa’s family,” the statement continued. “Our hearts are with Lisa Marie’s children, Riley, Harper and Finley, and her mother, Priscilla, in this difficult time.”