Faith Evans Ordered to Pay Nearly $14 Million to Biggie’s Mother’s Trust After Major Court Defeat

Faith Evans has suffered a major legal setback in a high-stakes dispute over The Notorious B.I.G.’s multimillion-dollar estate, with a Delaware judge ordering the singer to release more than $12.5 million, plus interest, to a trust established by the late rapper’s mother, Voletta Wallace. The total payment is expected to approach $14 million.

The October 27 ruling brings a significant chapter of the dispute between Fath Evans and Wayne Barrow, the trustee representing Voletta Wallace estate, closer to a conclusion. However, the wider family battle over control of Biggie’s legacy is far from over, with the rapper’s son, CJ Wallace, pursuing a separate legal challenge against Barrow.

Judge Orders Faith Evans to Release $12.5 Million

Chancellor Kathaleen McCormick of the Delaware Court of Chancery ruled that Voletta Wallace’s trust is entitled to distributions generated from her ownership interest in Notorious B.I.G., LLC, dating back to her death on February 21, 2025.

The court identified the outstanding distributions as $12,518,336. Interest must also be added, calculated from the dates on which the individual payments were originally made. The interest will accrue at the statutory rate and be compounded quarterly.

The dispute centered on whether the trust could claim profits generated before it was formally admitted as a member of the company in December 2025. Evans had challenged Barrow’s authority to demand the money, arguing that the necessary legal documentation had not been completed.

The judge acknowledged that the trust formally became an LLC member on December 12, 2025, but ruled that this did not eliminate its entitlement to distributions dating back to Voletta’s death.

In the ruling, McCormick made clear that the trust’s economic rights transferred to Voletta’s estate when she died. As the ultimate beneficiary, the trust was therefore entitled to the accumulated proceeds.

Primary Wave Deal Added Millions to the Estate Dispute

The legal battle intensified following a major 2025 agreement involving Primary Wave and Biggie’s music catalog and associated intellectual property rights.

Evans, the late rapper’s widow, manages the valuable portfolio through Notorious B.I.G., LLC, which she and Voletta established in 2007. Under their subsequent arrangement, distribution rights were divided among four beneficiaries: Voletta, Evans, and Biggie’s two children, T’yanna Wallace and Christopher Jordan Wallace, better known as CJ.

Each was entitled to a 25% share of the company’s distributions.

After Voletta’s death, Barrow pursued the outstanding payments on behalf of her trust. Evans disputed the trust’s claim, prompting litigation that resulted in an August ruling recognizing the validity of the paperwork transferring Voletta’s interest.

The latest decision addresses the money accumulated before the trust’s formal admission as an LLC member. The court rejected a proposal to deposit the disputed funds with the court while another legal challenge remained unresolved.

Biggie’s Son CJ Wallace Is Fighting a Separate Legal Battle

While the Delaware proceedings have favored Barrow, another lawsuit threatens to complicate the administration of Voletta’s estate.

CJ Wallace has filed a separate case in Pennsylvania challenging the terms of his grandmother’s will. An earlier version reportedly named CJ and Barrow as co-trustees, but a revised document signed shortly before Voletta’s death gave Barrow sole control.

CJ alleges that Barrow improperly influenced his grandmother into changing the estate arrangements. Barrow denies the allegations and has suggested that Evans is behind the challenge. Evans’ legal representatives have rejected that accusation.

The Pennsylvania case remains ongoing, and its allegations have not been established in court.

Nearly $14 Million Could Be Headed to Biggie’s Foundation

Barrow’s attorney, Jay Freiberg, welcomed the latest ruling, telling Billboard that the combined distributions and interest would total nearly $14 million.

Under the terms of Voletta’s will, the trust is intended to donate the money it receives to the Christopher Wallace Memorial Foundation, which honors the legacy of the Brooklyn rapper.

Evans’ attorney declined to comment on the October 29 ruling.

The decision marks a major development in the continuing fight over Biggie’s estate, nearly three decades after his death. Although the Delaware court has settled the immediate question of the trust’s entitlement to the accumulated distributions, the separate Pennsylvania lawsuit means the battle over who controls Voletta’s estate could continue.

For now, the ruling puts nearly $14 million in focus and places another significant financial obligation on the company managed by Biggie’s widow.