Ryne Sandberg, a renowned Chicago Cubs Hall of Famer, is now the center of a family legal battle following his death. His children, Justin Sandberg and Lindsey Sandberg, have filed a lawsuit against their stepmother, Margaret Sandberg. They allege that she mishandled his trust, potentially undermining their father’s intended arrangements.
Allegations in the Lawsuit
Filed in April at the Lake County Circuit Court, Justin and Lindsey accuse Margaret of attempting to shift control over Sandberg’s name, image, and likeness rights. According to the lawsuit, her actions could unravel a “collaborative arrangement” that Sandberg established between his second wife and biological children. The dispute, initially reported by the Sun-Times, involves efforts to place control in the hands of Margaret, her son, and the family’s financial advisor.
Legal and Familial Dynamics
Ryne Sandberg, affectionately known as “Ryno,” is famous for the June 23, 1984 game where his performance left an indelible mark on baseball history. He earned nine Gold Gloves and seven Silver Slugger awards, culminating in his Baseball Hall of Fame induction in 2005. His illustrious career included a stint as a manager. Sandberg passed away in July at age 65 due to metastatic prostate cancer, a condition he had disclosed a year earlier. Despite entering remission, the cancer returned, spreading to other organs.
Before his passing, Sandberg outlined “clear instructions” for his trust management. He specified that Margaret, Justin, and Lindsey would serve as equal co-trustees. He emphasized collaboration in managing his rights and maintaining his legacy.
Contention Over Trust Amendments
According to the lawsuit, Margaret Sandberg resisted involving the siblings in trust decisions after Sandberg’s death. The suit accuses her of refusing to sign necessary documents and open a new bank account for the trust. The complaint declares that her actions contradict Ryne’s explicit wishes. Notably, Margaret allegedly presented a note from her husband, dated July 16, just two weeks before his death. The note purportedly included his stepson and the family’s financial advisor as additional trustees.
The lawsuit contains a copy of the note with the words “N.I.L” at the top and “majority rules” at the bottom, listing five names for the new committee. The siblings argue the note’s invalidity due to its non-delivery prior to their father’s passing. They also claim Sandberg lacked the mental capacity to amend the trust amid his declining health.
Upcoming Legal Proceedings
Close to his death, Justin and Lindsey visited Sandberg frequently. They describe him as “heavily sedated” and experiencing significant pain. He was moved to hospice on July 20, the same day the note was allegedly written. The lawsuit includes testimonies of Sandberg’s deteriorating condition impacting his memory and cognition.
The children seek a court ruling that the note is not a valid amendment to the trust and wish to compel Margaret to adhere to the original trust instructions. A hearing for the case is set for July 31, where key decisions regarding the family trust will be deliberated.