Lisa Marie Presley’s Ex Named Guardian for Their Twins Amid Riley Keough, Priscilla Legal Battle
Lisa Marie Presley's family drama continues to make headlines. The latest development in the ongoing saga involves her ex-husband, Michael Lockwood, being granted full custody of their twin daughters, Harper and Finley, according to Page Six. Presley’s ex-husband has won full custody of their two twin daughters following her sudden death in January. Michael Lockwood and Lisa Marie Presley, the child of Elvis Presley who was the sole heir to his estate, underwent a public divorce battle beginning in 2016.
Following the death of Lisa Marie Presley, full custody of the 14-year-old twins she shared with Lockwood has been officially granted to their father, as per the hearing held in Los Angeles on Thursday, April 13, 2023. Musician Lockwood, who was reportedly left near penniless after his bid to overturn a postnup was denied in his bitter divorce from Elvis Presley’s daughter, filed a petition to become 14-year-old Harper and Finley’s legal guardian ad litem, back in March.
According to People, when Judge Scaduto asked if the 61-year-old musician had any preexisting relationships with the parties involved in the case, Lockwood's lawyer, Scott Rahn said that they were all on good terms. "Lockwood has a good, collegial, familial relationship with all parties involved," he said. "He is not only legally bound but also morally bound to protect [the twins'] interests." Lawyers for Priscilla Presley and Riley Keough had no objections to the request and the judge said she would issue a written ruling. The ruling came later on Thursday afternoon, with the court granting the petitions pursuant. The next hearing is scheduled for May 16.
The news has reportedly left Lisa Marie's daughter, Riley Keough, "furious" and concerned that she's "losing" her half-sisters to an "outsider". Keough's relationship with her grandmother, Priscilla Presley, also seems to have worsened due to the custody battle. Priscilla reportedly did not raise any objections to Lockwood getting full custody of the 14-year-olds.
Lisa Marie, the only child of Elvis Presley and his ex-wife Priscilla, died in January at the age of 54 after suffering a cardiac arrest. She is survived by mother Priscilla, 77, and daughters Riley, Harper, and Finley, with the latter three set to inherit her estate. Lisa Marie was also mom to son Benjamin Keough, who died by suicide in July 2020. The change had removed Priscilla and Lisa Marie's former business manager Barry Siegel as co-trustees. It gave control of the trust — the Graceland mansion and a 15 percent stake in Elvis Presley Enterprises (EPE), which together brought in a reported $110 million in 2022 — to Riley, 33, and Benjamin.
However, Priscilla has filed a petition questioning the "authenticity and validity" of the trust, claiming that Lisa Marie's signature is "inconsistent" and that Priscilla was not aware of the changes until after her daughter passed away. The outcome of Priscilla's petition could potentially see her and Riley appointed as co-trustees over Lisa Marie's estate, further complicating the already contentious family dynamics. Lockwood's reported siding with Priscilla over Lisa Marie's trust could also cause him to go against Riley in court.
