Presley rift deepens over battle for Lisa Marie’s estate
Priscilla Presley and granddaughter Riley Keough are “not speaking” amid a legal dispute over Lisa Marie Presley’s will as the late singer’s ex fights for custody of their daughters.
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Elvis Presley’s widow Priscilla Presley is reportedly no longer on speaking terms with her granddaughter, actress Riley Keough, amid a legal dispute over her daughter Lisa Marie Presley’s will, according to US reports.
Presley and Keough are the principles of the contentious legal battle, which has played out through the pair’s lawyers since Lisa Marie Presley suffered a cardiac arrest and died on January 12.
In the aftermath of the death of Elvis Presley’s only child, it was revealed the 54-year-old had changed the terms of her will to and make her eldest daughter and son Benjamin Keough – who died by suicide in 2020 – her sole heirs.
The change was reportedly made in 2016, when Lisa Marie Presley removed her mother from the will entirely.
A Presley insider reportedly told Entertainment Tonight in the US that it had been a “very tense and heartbreaking few weeks” for the actress due to her grandmother’s decision to contest the will.
Presley is arguing against the validity the will by claiming her late daughter’s signature on a 2016 amendment appeared “inconsistent.”
While some people say the move is merely a “money grab,” the insider claims Presley truly “is convinced that [the] old documents had been forged”.
“Riley has been mourning the loss of her mother and is heartbroken to have to deal with a trust dispute with a family member,” the source told Entertainment Tonight.
“Priscilla is adamant that she has a valid case and that she will prevail in court. Riley and Priscilla aren’t communicating at this time, but have been in communication through lawyers.”
The source added that while Keough would prefer to settle this dispute privately, both women are now “gearing up” for a bitter court battle.
“She is heartbroken that this has turned into a public matter and knows her mother would never want this,” the source said.
Keough, who in the past three years has had to bury both her mother and brother, has been “very stressed” over the dispute, but is “trying to keep a positive attitude” the source said.
There are conflicting reports on just how much money Lisa Marie Presley had, but it has been reported she spent a US$100 million (A$146 million) inheritance she received from her father after turning 25 in 1993.
However, she still owned Graceland, Presley’s US$10 million (A$14 million) Memphis estate which is now a tourist attraction, through a trust.
Graceland will now be inherited by her children – Keough, and 14-year-old twins Harper and Finley Lockwood.
The New York Post also reported that Lisa Marie Presley and her mother weren’t even on good terms before the singer’s death and friends told the outlet that the late singer would be “p***ed” by her mother’s actions.
“Lisa Marie didn’t want to have anything to do with her mother,” a friend alleged to the New York Post.
“She was basically estranged from Priscilla for the last seven to eight years. They only talked when there was no option.”
The pair did, however attend the Golden Globes together to support Elvis star Austin Butler in the days before the singer’s death.
LISA MARIE’S EX WANTS FULL CUSTODY OF KIDS
Meanwhile, Lisa Marie Presley’s ex-husband has pleaded for privacy as he goes for full custody of their twin daughters, according to new court filings.
The couple shared 14-year-old daughters Finley and Harper.
Lisa Marie Presley’s fourth husband reportedly has a good chance of getting full custody of the girls, who have made it clear that they want to live full-time with their father, sources previously told TMZ.
They have been living with Mr Lockwood and his new wife, celebrity hairstylist Stephanie Hobgood, since their mother’s death.
There were previously rumours that Danny Keough, the late star’s second husband, might want custody.
He moved into the family home over two years ago following the death of their son, Benjamin.
However, according to California law, Mr Keough wouldn’t be in the position to get custody, although he may try and fight for it in court.
According to a report in the Sun, new court documents showed that Mr Lockwood’s lawyer, Joseph Yanny, asked for a case management conference, requesting it to be filed under seal, which was granted by a judge.
Filings show that it is now set for March 14, as the family figures out their next steps while the twins grieve the tragic death of their mother.
A scheduling conference may be the first of a number of court dates that you will have before the trial date on a domestic case.
“Typically if parties share custody of children and one parent dies, custody goes to the surviving parent. So it is likely he will get full custody.
“Family members could ask for visitation or custody of the children if there are issues with the surviving parent, but generally, the children’s father in this situation would have custody.”
“It is difficult for third parties to obtain custody in many circumstances, and family members may not have a basis to object to the custody arrangement.”
Mr Lockwood already had joint custody of the twins with the singer following a years-long battle which he claimed in court filings has left him facing bankruptcy.
“It’ll be a cold day in hell before he gives up custody of those children,” a source connected to Mr Lockwood told TMZ.
He revealed last month in other court documents that he has been “left in the dark” over Lisa Marie Presley’s estate, as his lawyer filed a “notice of the death of a party”.
He claimed they have no idea who will be distributing assets to beneficiaries and who the Trustees of the estate are, according to the filing.
“We do not currently know the intended Executors and Trustees that the late Lisa Marie Presley had named,” Mr Lockwood’s lawyer said.
Mr Yanny confirmed the twins’ father has been with them since their mother’s death.
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