Zappa Family Trust: assign administrative control to neutral third party, save the house!

The Issue

According to the LA Times (June 24, 2016), even with a Frank Zappa music catalog worth "tens of millions" The Zappa Family Trust is currently in millions of dollars of debt. With the Zappa Family Trust now being controlled by Ahmet and Diva Zappa, they have resorted to auctioning Frank's remaining personal possessions (as well as his famous home studio) to supposedly pay it back. 

Upon Gail Zappa's death, Dweezil and Moon Zappa were unfairly given no authority over the Trust's decisions, and unequal shares. Ahmet and Diva (30% each), Dweezil and Moon (20% each). Meanwhile, Dweezil Zappa has been the only of the siblings to actively promote the brand for the past 10 years, all around the world. 

There are too many financial disagreements and public discrepancies to allow the Zappa Family Trust to objectively manage its affairs and protect the legacy of Frank Zappa. It is quite sad that Frank Zappa's business empire has been run into the ground over the years under mismanagement, lawsuits, and confusion. 

We ask Ahmet and Diva to stop the sale of all of Frank's historical property (including his rare guitars) -- and hand administrative control of the Zappa Family Trust to a qualified, neutral third-party, to manage the finances of the Trust and Frank Zappa's musical catalog / business. 

According to an unnamed advisor, it should be a neutral third party with experience in administrating trusts, and an entity or person who is not already involved in the trust — such as any of the lawyers or business management firms that have been and are presently involved. This entity/party should be agreed upon by not only the trustees, but also the beneficiaries. All four siblings should have equal decision making rights, with a neutral in place in the event of disagreement. That neutral would be a mutually agreed upon person/entity.

As a top priority, we also ask that the Frank Zappa House and Studio (Utility Muffin Research Kitchen) be preserved as a museum or functioning studio, rather than sold to someone who might tear it down and build another McMansion in the Hollywood Hills. Please assure that if it is sold, it is sold to someone with this intent!

avatar of the starter
Carl KingPetition Starter
This petition had 535 supporters

The Issue

According to the LA Times (June 24, 2016), even with a Frank Zappa music catalog worth "tens of millions" The Zappa Family Trust is currently in millions of dollars of debt. With the Zappa Family Trust now being controlled by Ahmet and Diva Zappa, they have resorted to auctioning Frank's remaining personal possessions (as well as his famous home studio) to supposedly pay it back. 

Upon Gail Zappa's death, Dweezil and Moon Zappa were unfairly given no authority over the Trust's decisions, and unequal shares. Ahmet and Diva (30% each), Dweezil and Moon (20% each). Meanwhile, Dweezil Zappa has been the only of the siblings to actively promote the brand for the past 10 years, all around the world. 

There are too many financial disagreements and public discrepancies to allow the Zappa Family Trust to objectively manage its affairs and protect the legacy of Frank Zappa. It is quite sad that Frank Zappa's business empire has been run into the ground over the years under mismanagement, lawsuits, and confusion. 

We ask Ahmet and Diva to stop the sale of all of Frank's historical property (including his rare guitars) -- and hand administrative control of the Zappa Family Trust to a qualified, neutral third-party, to manage the finances of the Trust and Frank Zappa's musical catalog / business. 

According to an unnamed advisor, it should be a neutral third party with experience in administrating trusts, and an entity or person who is not already involved in the trust — such as any of the lawyers or business management firms that have been and are presently involved. This entity/party should be agreed upon by not only the trustees, but also the beneficiaries. All four siblings should have equal decision making rights, with a neutral in place in the event of disagreement. That neutral would be a mutually agreed upon person/entity.

As a top priority, we also ask that the Frank Zappa House and Studio (Utility Muffin Research Kitchen) be preserved as a museum or functioning studio, rather than sold to someone who might tear it down and build another McMansion in the Hollywood Hills. Please assure that if it is sold, it is sold to someone with this intent!

avatar of the starter
Carl KingPetition Starter

The Decision Makers

Ahmet Zappa
Ahmet Zappa
CEO and Zappa Records
Diva Zappa
Diva Zappa
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