Ray Charles' 12 Kids Seek More Control Over Estate

Money to be placed in trust for Bobbi Kristina

(NEWSER) - Whitney Houston left her entire estate to her 19-year-old daughter. An undisclosed amount of money will be placed in trust until Bobbi Kristina Brown turns 21. She'll receive a portion of the inheritance then, more at the age of 25, and the rest at 30. The trust administrator—the singer's sister-in-law and manager Patricia Houston—can release money earlier for tuition and the purchase of a house, reports AP . Houston's will, revealed in an Atlanta court, was written while she was married to Bobby Brown about a month before the birth of the couple's only child. Houston died in a bathtub in a Beverly Hills hotel last month. Her daughter is grappling with some of the same substance abuse demons that haunted her mom, say friends. More»

Smith questioned over murder-for-hire plot during J. Howard Marshall estate fight

(NEWSER) - When Anna Nicole Smith’s rich-but-ancient husband died, she publicly fought his son for his estimated $550 million fortune—and the AP just obtained records showing the FBI investigated Smith for possibly trying to have that son killed. During the 2000-2001 investigation, a gun, a knife, and—inexplicably—a black and orange “Dr. Seuss” hat were confiscated from Smith’s home, but the Playboy Playmate was never charged. More»

Plus, Rihanna house hunts, and more

(NEWSER) - The funeral for Jade Goody, the British reality star who died of cervical cancer, will be held April 4, the BBC reports. A funeral procession will go from her house to a nearby church. Elsewhere:

• Rihanna was spotted house-hunting yesterday in the Hollywood Hills, the Sun reports.
• Struggling-for-cash Lindsay Lohan probably ain't too happy that her assistant scuffed up her $115,000 Maserati, according to TMZ.

Poll of musicians, industry insiders choose Franklin as most worthy of R-E-S-P-E-C-T

(NEWSER) - Aretha Franklin isn't just the Queen of Soul, she's the greatest singer of all time, according to a new Rolling Stone poll of critics, musicians, and industry leaders. Her heavenly voice is "a gift from God," says Mary J. Blige. "Aretha has everything—the power, the technique," Bilge adds. "When it comes to expressing yourself through song, there is no one who can touch her." More»

Spears dogged by rumors that she stormed out of taping

(NEWSER) - New judges Britney Spears and Demi Lovato had their first X Factor taping yesterday, and of course there were rumors of bad behavior. TMZ reports that Spears stormed off the set upset after a contestant did a less-than-stellar version of her song "Hold It Against Me," forcing the next four contestants to audition in front of the remaining judges while her seat stayed empty. But Spears tweeted a denial, the New York Daily News reports: "#Britneywalksoff??? LOL was just taking a little break, people. I am having the BEST time!!!" More»