Naomi Judd’s decision to name husband Larry Strickland executor of her will without any mention of her daughters, Wynonna and Ashley, reportedly isn’t sitting right with her eldest child.
According the Daily Mail, Wynonna, 58, plans to contest the will, believing she is entitled to some of her mother’s $25 million fortune.
“With Wynonna, her mother leaving all of her wealth to Larry sticks in her craw,” a source told the DailyMail on Thursday, adding, “Her feeling is Naomi built her fortune at least partially on the back of Wynonna’s own hard work.
“She was the one who was the lead singer of The Judds dating back to the 1980s and took Naomi from working as a nurse to being a star,” the source continued, adding that, “it was Wynonna’s amazing voice that pushed them over the top.”
The country star — who died by suicide on April 30 — and her daughter’s band, known as The Judds, won five Grammys, nine CMAs, eight Billboard Music Awards and sold over 20 million records throughout their career.
Although the “Why Not Me” singer is allegedly upset with how Naomi’s assets are being divided, her half-sister Ashley, 54, has reportedly accepted her mother’s wishes.
“Ashley Judd has no problem with her late mother Naomi leaving her entire $25 million fortune to her second husband Larry Strickland,’ the source told Daily Mail. “With Ashley it’s never really been about the money.”
While the late singer’s decision to exclude her daughters from her will isn’t uncommon, legal experts tell Page Six it does seem to be a slight to both Wynonna and Ashley.
“It is common to name the spouse as the executor of a will. But leaving out her daughters seems pointed, like a purposeful act on Naomi’s part,” attorney Holly Davis said.
In the will, the singer requested Strickland have “full authority and discretion” over any property that is an asset to her estate “without the approval of any court” or permission from any beneficiary of the estate.
According to experts, however, Strickland has the power “set up an inheritance in line with what he believes Naomi would have wanted for the children.”
The two daughter have both commented on their mother’s tragic passing, but have not yet spoken out about the will.
