Dimebag Darrell Estate To Be Split Between Brother And Father

02/28/2005 4:00 PM, Yahoo! Music
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The estate of slain Damageplan and Pantera guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott will probably be divided evenly between his brother, Damageplan and Pantera drummer Vinnie Paul, and his father, country and western songwriter Jerry Abbott, according to the Dallas-Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

Family lawyer Steve McClure told the newspaper that while Abbott didn't leave a will, there is no squabbling over the estate: "[Abbott] reiterated to just about everybody that he didn't have a will because he didn't want to give anyone a reason. These are class folks and you're not going to see them at the courthouse fighting over nickels and dimes."

Abbott's assets are estimated at $700,000, including a $450,000 home in the Dallas area and $250,000 in personal property. The value of his music copyrights was not specified in court documents filed on Thursday (February 24).

Abbott's longtime girlfriend, Rita Sue Haney, was not listed as a beneficiary, but Abbott's business manager, Jeff Rasco, said, "Rita's going to be provided for...Darrell knew her since the third grade."

The Abbott family may file a wrongful death lawsuit as a result of the December 8 shootings at the Alrosa Villa nightclub in Columbus, Ohio, in which Darrell Abbott and three others were killed by a deranged gunman.

Vinnie Paul will most likely be named the administrator of his brother's estate. Paul joined Disturbed and Anthrax onstage last Wednesday night (February 23) at a Chicago benefit concert held in memory of Abbott. Paul's appearance at the show marked his first time back onstage since his brother's death.

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