Lisa Marie Presley‘s former husband, Michael Lockwood, has filed to represent their daughters Harper and Finley in an upcoming hearing over the late singer’s will.
The guitarist filed a “guardian ad litem,” which will allow him to speak for the 14-year-olds who are deemed minors and need help protecting their rights in court.
Lisa Marie’s will is being mainly fought over by her mother, Priscilla Presley, and her daughter Riley Keough. The latter was appointed alongside her late brother Benjamin Keough as co-trustees of the singer’s estate following a 2016 amendment.
Keep on reading to learn more.
Michael Lockwood Asks Court To Appoint Him ‘Guardian Ad Litem’
Lockwood has sought the court’s help to allow him to represent his twin daughters, whom he shares with his ex, Lisa Marie, per Page Six. The 61-year-old and the late singer were married for ten years before Lisa Marie filed for divorce in 2016.
Now, Lockwood, who was at loggerheads with Lisa Marie before her death, requested that he be appointed “guardian ad litem” over his 14-year-old daughters Harper and Finley.
If the request is granted, it will give him the right to speak on their behalf in an upcoming hearing for his ex’s trust and the duration of the legal action.
The trust is being contested by Lisa Marie’s mother, Priscilla, who is arguing against its validity, which instructs that her estate be left to her oldest daughter, Riley, and her son, Benjamin.
As part of the argument, she claimed that Lisa Marie’s signature on a 2016 amendment of the document appeared “inconsistent.” The prior document had Priscilla listed as one of the co-trustees of the demised singer’s estate.
Lisa Marie And Priscilla Presley Were Estranged
Following Priscilla’s move to contest the will, it was alleged that the mother of the late singer was only doing it for the money and that Lisa Marie was estranged from her “Priscilla, [her ex-husband] Michael Lockwood or her half-brother [Navarone Garibaldi]” at the time of her death.
“Lisa didn’t want to have anything to do with her mom,” a close friend shared. “She was basically estranged from Priscilla for the last seven to eight years. They only talked when there was no option.”
It has also been reported that the court case has strained the relationship between Priscilla and Riley.
“Riley has been mourning the loss of her mother and is heartbroken to have to deal with a trust dispute with a family member,” a source said, per Entertainment Tonight. The pair have since chosen to only communicate through their attorneys amid their ongoing feud.
Riley Keough Wants To Settle Privately
According to E.T, Riley “would prefer to settle this dispute privately,” as she feels the battle over the trust isn’t want her late mother would have liked.
“She is heartbroken that this has turned into a public matter and knows her mother would never want this,” the source said.
At the time, it was claimed that the entire ordeal made Riley feel “very stressed,” although she has tried to “keep a positive attitude,” hoping that the content of the will would not be nullified.
Lisa Marie was laid to rest at the Graceland mansion in Memphis, TN, where her adored son, Benjamin, was buried. Elvis Presley and other late Presley family members are also buried at the renowned mansion.
Priscila Presley Going Against Her Daughter’s Wishes
Some outsiders have claimed Lisa Marie always intended to leave her estate to her children. “Lisa’s intent was very clear,” an insider told People magazine. “Lisa really didn’t feel that Priscilla was doing anything in her best interest.”
The insider also noted that the singer “lived her life authentically” and “wouldn’t remain quiet when she was being taken advantage of.”
Another source close to the family shared the same sentiment, noting that Lisa Marie’s decision aligns with what Elvis would have wanted. “We just want to think about what Lisa would’ve wanted, and that’s what’s best for Elvis. She never had a doubt in her mind that that’s Riley,” the source said per E.T.
