On Tuesday (May 16), Priscilla Presley and Riley Keough, mother and daughter of the late Lisa Marie Presley, reached a settlement regarding Lisa Marie’s trust, according to PEOPLE. Ronson Shamoun, Priscilla’s lawyer, expressed that the families involved are happy and unified, looking forward to the future. Riley’s lawyer, Justin Gold, added that Riley agreed to the settlement because she was satisfied with it. The next hearing and motion for approval are scheduled for August 4.
Following Lisa Marie’s unexpected death on January 12, her mother Priscilla confirmed the news and expressed her grief, describing Lisa Marie as a passionate and loving woman. Lisa Marie left behind her three daughters, including Riley, as well as the Graceland mansion, its grounds, and Elvis Presley’s personal effects, which are held in a trust benefiting her daughters.
After Lisa Marie’s passing, Priscilla filed legal paperwork contesting a 2016 amendment made to the will, which removed her as a trustee. Priscilla and Lisa Marie’s former business manager, Barry Siegel, were initially named co-trustees in 2010, but the amendment appointed Riley and Lisa Marie’s late son, Benjamin Keough, as co-trustees. However, Benjamin tragically passed away in 2020.
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According to an alleged amendment, Riley would have become the sole trustee following Benjamin’s passing. However, Priscilla has filed legal documents questioning the validity of the 2016 amendment. She argues that the document raises suspicions due to inconsistencies with Lisa Marie’s signature, lack of notarization, misspelling of Priscilla’s name, and failure to deliver it as per the terms of the 2010 arrangement. Priscilla aims to reinstate the 2010 trust, making herself and Barry co-trustees. It is believed that Barry has either resigned or will soon resign as a co-trustee.
The document also mentions that if Barry steps down, Riley would become a co-trustee alongside Priscilla. As Riley is over 30 years old, she can act as a co-trustee of her subtrust by providing written consent.
In a separate report by TMZ, amidst the legal battle over Lisa Marie’s trust, Priscilla has made an additional request to be buried next to Elvis Presley. Despite their divorce years before his passing and Elvis being involved in other relationships, including an engagement, at the time of his death, Priscilla desires to have her final resting place next to the iconic singer. Currently, Elvis is buried between his grandmother, Minnie Mae Presley, and his father, Vernon Presley.
On this day in 1977, the King of Rock 'n' Roll, Elvis Presley died aged 42. Elvis was originally buried in Forest Hills Cemetery, Memphis, but after a scare with grave tampering, he and his mother were disinterred and reburied in the Meditation Garden at Graceland. pic.twitter.com/mEepWq62Vr
— Burials & Beyond (@BurialsBeyond) August 16, 2021
His mother, Gladys Presley, Lisa Marie, and Benjamin Keough are all buried at Graceland as well.
We revisited Graceland last summer and were saddened to see Benjamin Keough’s grave. We could never have imagined that Lisa Marie Presley would be joining her father and son there so soon. Our thoughts are with the family, especially the young children who have lost a mother.😔🎶 pic.twitter.com/aGLCrctzWf
— Paul’s Stateside Adventures (@PKDinerUSA) January 14, 2023
TMZ reports that Priscilla was denied her request to be buried next to Elvis and she “backed down without much discussion.”