Case Study: Lisa Marie Presley

The recent death of Lisa Marie Presley shows how a flawed amendment can spark an estate plan contest. Within weeks of her death on January 12, 2023, someone filed a petition in Los Angeles. It asked a judge to invalidate a 2016 amendment to her estate plan.

What the Amendment Changed

The 2016 amendment removed two trustees from Lisa Marie’s estate: her mother, Priscilla Presley, and a former business manager, Barry Siegel. In their place, it named Lisa Marie’s daughter, Riley Keough, and her now-deceased son, Benjamin Keough.

The Basis of the Estate Plan Contest

The challenge rests on several issues. First, Lisa Marie’s signature on the document looks questionable—allegedly “inconsistent with her usual and customary signature.” Second, her trust required that anyone notify the trustees of changes to the trust. Yet Priscilla alleges that no one notified her or Siegel about the change removing them. On top of that, someone apparently misspelled Lisa Marie’s name on the document she signed. Finally, no one ever witnessed or notarized the document itself.

The Lesson for Your Own Estate Plan

When you change a trust, you must follow its exact requirements. Otherwise, you risk a costly estate plan contest like this one. Here, a possibly inconsistent signature—paired with no witness or notary to confirm that Lisa Marie signed the amendment—may undermine its validity.

So what can you take away from this case? First, work with an experienced estate planning attorney whenever you update your documents. Second, follow every notice, witness, and notary requirement your trust spells out. These steps may feel tedious, but they protect your wishes. As the court system shows time and again, a small oversight can open the door to a lengthy dispute. A little diligence now can spare your family a painful battle later.