The details of Jonah Lomu's will can be revealed and show he left his rugby legacy to his young sons, while his lawyer has been left in control of his finances, rather than his wife, Nadene.
The will shows trademarks, property and any other wealth have been left in the control of his long-time lawyer Chris Darlow through two companies, Stylez Ltd and Wesley Holdings Ltd.
The companies are the focus of issues raised by Mr Darlow with the Companies Office after Mrs Lomu changed the shareholdings to give herself ownership
Lomu, who described himself in his will as a ‘‘professional football player'', died in November last year, aged 40.
Lomu's will, obtained from the High Court at Wellington, shows it was lodged with the court on December 21, about a month after he died. Mr Darlow was granted the legal right by the court on January 21 to act as executor of the will.
The will states: ‘‘I give the shares I own in Stylez Ltd and Wesley Holdings Ltd [the trustees of the Silk Trust and the Wesley Holding Trust respectively] to Christopher Robert Darlow."
Companies Office records show Nadene Lomu made changes to the ownership of the companies on January 4. Stylez Ltd and Wesley Holdings Ltd were 100% owned by Lomu at the time of his death.
Multiple changes to Stylez Ltd at one time increased her shareholding to 99%. It currently stands at 50%. She also changed the ownership of Wesley Holdings Ltd. In that case, Lomu's shareholding was dropped and she listed herself as the 100% shareholder.
Mr Darlow said he had approached the Companies Office over the changes. Stylez Ltd is also listed on public records as the owner of an $800,000 apartment in Wellington, which Lomu bought from his future father-in-law in 2008 for $1.5 million.
The same company is shown as having registered the trademarks on Lomu's name and branded imagery, although ownership is believed to be with the Silk Trust which Lomu left to benefit his sons, Dhyreille and Brayley.
The will also stated any remaining wealth left should go to Mrs Lomu.
The unbundling of Lomu's estate is separate from the trust set up after his death for the benefit of the boys when it became clear he had little or no money left.
