Michael Lockwood , the former spouse of Lisa Marie Presley , has been granted the role of legal custodian of their twin daughters. Here are the details of the story.
Going Against Lisa Marie Presley’s Wishes
The decision has sparked worry among those close to the situation, as it may go against the late celebrity’s wishes.
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Lockwood Seeks Guardianship
Following his contentious divorce from Elvis Presley’s daughter, Musician Lockwood filed a petition in March to be appointed as the legal guardian ad litem for Harper and Finley, who are both 14 years old.
Financial Woes Loom For Lockwood
Lockwood, 61, allegedly faced financial difficulties after his failed attempt to challenge a postnuptial agreement.
LA Judge Grants Custody To Lockwood
Thursday saw LA Judge Lynn Healey Scaduto granting the request, Lockwood’s attorney Scott Rahn stated that his client was “ready, able, and willing to protect their interests.”
Questioning Connections
Judge Scaduto raised the question during the hearing if Lockwood had any previous connections with the parties in the case, and Rahn maintained that they were all on positive terms.
Lockwood’s Moral Duty
“Lockwood has a good, collegial, familial relationship with all of the parties involved,” said Rahn. “He is not only legally bound but also morally bound to protect [the twins’] interests.”
Excluded From Farewell
According to an insider who spoke to Page Six , Lockwood was not included in the funeral arrangements for Lisa Marie, who passed away suddenly at the age of 54 due to cardiac arrest in January.
Family Facilitation
The insider also revealed that Lisa Marie’s mother, Priscilla Presley, facilitated Lockwood’s attendance at the ceremony held at Graceland in Memphis.
Uncertain Future
It remains uncertain if Lisa Marie made any provisions for the care of the twins in the event of her passing.
A Decade Of Marriage Ends In Divorce
After a decade of marriage, Lisa Marie initiated divorce proceedings against Lockwood in 2016, with both being entangled in a contentious custody battle for their daughters until Lisa Marie’s passing.
Dismissal Due To Demise
Lisa Marie’s attorney, Gary Fishbein, informed Judge Joseph Lipner in March that the case should be dismissed due to his client’s passing.
Ruling Not Yet Official
Unless another family member challenges the ruling in probate court, Lockwood is expected to obtain full custody, as the request for dismissal has not been officially granted by the judge.
Guardianship And Representation Granted
The decision not only grants the Lockwood guardianship of the twins but to also act as their representative in an ongoing probate case involving Lisa Marie’s multi-million dollar trust.
Lisa Marie’s 2004 Sale
In 2004, Lisa Marie sold the majority of her father’s estate, including the rights to his name and image, to SFX Entertainment, while retaining ownership of Graceland.
Priscilla’s Legal Battle
Priscilla, who stated that she was unaware of the 2016 amendment until after Lisa Marie’s passing, said that it should be voided based on a few reasons, including Lisa Marie’s failure to comply with the trust’s requirement of informing her of the changes.
Same Courtroom, Different Case
Priscilla and Keough are set to appear before the same judge who oversaw Britney Spears’ conservatorship release.
“Riley never wanted a war,” a source close to the family revealed.
Postponement Of Hearing
After Priscilla’s request for a postponement from April 14, Judge Brenda Penny will be overseeing the hearing on May 16.
Signs Of Reconciliation
Despite the legal battles, a source close to the family revealed that Priscilla and Keough had a recent lunch outing in Beverly Hills, suggesting an effort to reconcile.
Family Harmony?
Priscilla Presley addressed rumors of a family feud during an “Evening with Priscilla Presley” event in Newcastle, England, stating that the rumors were “not true.”
