When Ozzy Osbourne passed away in July 2025, he left behind a legion of devoted fans, a back-catalogue of heavy metal hits, and (according to Parade) an estate worth an estimated $220 million.
The so-called “Prince of Darkness” also left a blended family, assets split between the UK and the US, and the complicated matter of ongoing royalties.
Managing the legacy and inheritance of a loved one is always hard, but doing so on behalf of a high net worth individual can be even more complicated, especially if potential issues weren’t resolved before death.
Keep reading for a look at the important steps you can take now to ensure your affairs are in order and avoid additional stress for your loved ones at an already difficult time.
1. Understand the potential complications of inheritance within a blended family
Ozzy’s most famous family members are arguably those who appeared on the hit 1990s show, The Osbournes. The pioneering reality programme followed Ozzy, wife Sharon, and children Kelly and Jack as they navigated life in Beverly Hills.
Not only did Ozzy and Sharon’s eldest daughter Aimee not appear in the show, but Ozzy also had two children (Jessica and Louis) with his first wife, Thelma Riley. He also adopted Elliot, Riley’s son from a previous relationship.
Blended families bring unique complications, especially where the deceased is the person who tied the families together. The risk of disputes can increase, and the likelihood of accidental “sideways disinheritance” rises too.
This might occur when a marriage voids a previous will, thereby cutting out children from a previous relationship. Understanding these complications and taking the time to think clearly about exactly who should inherit what should be your first step.
2. Be sure you have an up-to-date will in place and check in with it regularly
Once you know what your wishes are, it’s vital that you have an up-to-date will and that you review it regularly. In practice, this probably means once a year, as well as after any significant life milestones.
This might be a marriage, which generally revokes a previous will, meaning that the laws of intestacy would apply on death. Other important life events include births, deaths, and divorces. Even without a blended family, these could all change your priorities and mean that your estate planning needs revisiting.
Estate planning is an ongoing concern rather than a “one and done”, so once your plans are in place, there’s still work to do. HFMC Wealth work with an extensive network of tax and legal advisers to help our clients with will writing.
3. Communication is key to avoiding disputes and helping loved ones plan tax-efficiently
Ozzy’s relationship with his older children was strained, and neither Jessica nor Elliot attended their father’s funeral. Family relationships can be complicated, which is why communication is so important.
This remains true regardless of the amounts involved or your family set-up, ensuring those with a vested interest know where they stand. Honest and open discussions can help to avoid disputes after you are gone. This is especially important if you don’t intend to distribute assets evenly, or if you have complicated assets, like a family business, and feel it’s important to make your decision-making process clear.
Once your beneficiaries know what they are set to receive (or not receive), they can use this information to inform their own tax-efficient financial planning. Our team can provide guidance to support this process. Inheriting a large sum can be daunting, so intergenerational advice can give your loved ones much-needed support, while giving you peace of mind that your wealth will be in safe hands.
4. Consider the complications of overseas assets and the need for advice you can trust
Ozzy grew up in Aston in Birmingham but had lived in Beverly Hills for nearly three decades at the time of his death.
If you have assets spread across international borders, this could prove an added complication upon death, and it’s wise to address this in your legacy and estate planning as early as possible.
Having separate wills in different jurisdictions is common when assets are spread across countries with varying laws. However, it’s crucial that you ensure the provisions of each will do not contradict one another and that one will does not inadvertently revoke another. This is particularly important as inadvertent revocation can lead to unintended disinheritance or to complications in administrating assets abroad.
To prevent this, each will should include clear wording that identifies its scope and limits its jurisdiction. For example, a UK will may begin with a statement such as: “This will is made in respect of my property situated in the United Kingdom only and is not…”. This ensures that your wills are mutually exclusive and carefully coordinated, reducing the risk of overlapping bequests or inadvertently revoked clauses.
It is also advisable to seek legal advice in each jurisdiction to ensure compliance with local laws and to avoid any potential conflicts.
Working with HFMC Wealth can help here. Our team has extensive experience in global asset management, investment portfolio construction, and cross-border taxation, providing international financial planning to help you manage your long-term needs.
Thanks to our relationships with recognised specialists in the fields of international law and taxation, you’ll know the advice we provide is tax-efficient and fully compliant, helping you to live the life you want now, while knowing that your complicated legacy planning is in hand.
5. It’s never too early to think about estate planning
Where an estate is of significant value, as Ozzy’s was, it’s important to think clearly about how this wealth is split, and when.
You might plan to split assets evenly, but what does this look like in practice? If you have a blended family, there might be a big age gap between your children (there is a 20-year gap between Ozzy’s oldest and youngest child). This means beneficiaries could receive funds at very different times in their lives.
Giving while living might make sense as a strategy for some family members, but how does this affect their overall inheritance and the amount given to their siblings on death?
Starting to make these plans early allows you to be as tax-efficient as possible and gives your loved ones time to make their own equally important plans.
Get in touch
If you’d like help managing your high net worth estate, or if you are looking to better manage your succession planning, then do get in touch. Contact us online or call 020 7400 4700.
Please note
This article is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at retail clients only.
Please do not act based on anything you might read in this article. All contents are based on our understanding of HMRC legislation, which is subject to change. All details relating to the Osbourne family are from public sources and not endorsements!
The Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate estate planning, tax planning, or will writing.
