Along with a shining legacy in film and television, director John Singleton left behind a $35 million estate which his family is now reportedly disputing over. His will raises questions about who inherits his money.

Director John Singleton’s death appears to have launched a feud between his family members over who is entitled to his estate.

THE CONTROVERSY OVER HIS WILL

Recent reports suggest Singleton, who died on April 29 following a stroke, was worth $35 million at the time of his death. However, it was also revealed his last will and testament dated 1993 and filed by his mother, Shelia Ward only names his eldest daughter, 26-year-old Justice Maya Singleton as the sole heir of his estate valued at $3.8 million.

At the time Singleton wrote his will, his six other children weren’t born yet which has led to a discussion on their rights to claim part of their father’s money. Legally speaking, the California law provides these children the right to claim a portion of the inheritance since they were not specifically excluded from the will.

MORE FAMILY DRAMA

Adding more complication to the ongoing feud is reportedly Singleton’s mother, who, one of his daughters, Cleopatra claims is also out to get a giant piece of the pie.

Before the director died, Shelia filed papers in court requesting for temporary conservatorship for his estate. She claimed that while her son was in a coma, he was unable to attend to his needs properly. Cleopatra publicly disputed this and denied her father was in a coma suggesting Shelia was after her own interests in controlling and using Singleton’s money and keeping it from his children.

SINGLETON'S DEATH

Singleton died unexpectedly at the age of 51 after complaining of leg pain and later suffering a stroke upon his return from a trip to Costa Rica. He was reportedly in a coma for ten days before his family decided to take him off life support.

'It is with heavy hearts that we announce that our beloved son, father and friend, John Daniel Singleton passed away today due to complications from a stroke he suffered last Wednesday,” the family said in a statement following Singleton’s death.

“In his private life, John was a loving and supporting father, son, brother and friend who believed in higher education, black culture, old school music and the power of film.”

The statement added that the famous director held a love for the sea and would kayak every morning at Marina Del Rey. He also enjoyed sailing on his boat, J’s Dream when not filming.

HIS LEGACY

Singleton’s estimated net worth of $35 million was a product of his lustrous career as a director of the blockbuster films, “2 Fast 2 Furious,” “Four Brothers,” “Shaft,” and his directorial debut, “Boyz n the Hood” for which he earned the title of being the first African American director to be nominated for an Oscar. He also famously directed “Poetic Justice,” “Rosewood,” and “Abduction.”

His television contributions include an episode on Fox’s “Empire” and “American Crime Story." He also produced BET’s “Rebel” and co-created FX’s “Snowfall.”

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