Heath Ledger’s family fights over estate

By M&C People Mar 19, 2008, 22:38 GMT

Kim Ledger (front seat right) arrives in a Motorcade for his son Heath Ledger\'s Memorial Service at the Penrhos College in Como, Perth, 09 February 2008. Heath Ledger died in Manhattan on the 22 January of an accidental overdose of pescription drugs. EPA/LINCOLN BAKER AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT

Heath Ledger's family is feuding and wrangling for control of the late actor's estate, People magazine reports.

The actor's uncles are speaking out against Heath's father, Kim Ledger's, management of Heath's assets, according to the magazine.

Ledger's uncles claim Kim's past estate management has been dodgy, telling the magazine Kim was removed as the executor of their grandfather's estate 15 years ago.

"It plunged into enormous debt," Mike Ledger, one of Ledger's uncles, told People.

The actor's will left all his belongings to his parents and siblings.  His grlfriend Michelle and daughter Matilda were not included.

Mike Ledger said they have raised questions of Kim's handling of the actor's estate out of a concern for Matilda's future. "Our only vested interest is to assure that Matilda is well looked after," he told People.

"When you are talking about large sums of money like this, it should be an independent executor, but Kim hasn't chosen that way," Mike Ledger added.

MSNBC reports that the Australian executor of Ledger's will, Robert John Collins, dismissed the uncle's claims, calling the allegations about Kim "rubbish."

The Ledger bad blood dates back to the initial dispute over the grandfather's estate, and according to People was "raging" during Heath's memorial.

Mike Ledger claims 17 family member were not invited to attend services for Heath.

"I'm his godfather," Mike told People. "We didn't even have the ability or the opportunity to pay our last respects to Heath. And I tell you, that is terrible — that is so sad."