The trustee of the David Lynch Family Trust is asking a judge to give broader authority to a fiduciary appointed to represent the interests of the late filmmaker’s 13-year-old daughter, but the girl’s mother is objecting to the request.
Lynch died of cardiac arrest in January 2025 at age 78. The longtime smoker had emphysema. His work included “Twin Peaks” and “Blue Velvet.”
Lynch left much of his estate to his four children, including Lula Boginia Lynch. On May 26, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Daniel Juarez named attorney Stefanie Cutler as Lula’s guardian ad litem. A GAL is a court-appointed individual, typically a lawyer, who investigates a case and advocates for the best interests of a minor or an incapacitated adult who cannot represent themselves.
Recently, estate trustee Sabrina Sutherland filed an application with the judge asking that Cutler be given greater authority that is consistent with the original GAL petition. Sutherland was Lynch’s longtime producing partner.
However, in court papers filed Thursday with the judge, the girl’s mother, Emily Lynch, says no such increased clout was intended.
“Here, the trustee’s application improperly and substantially attempts to amend the order of the court to one that was not made and attempts to alter the rights of the parties in a manner that is not contemplated by the original order,” Emily Lynch’s lawyer states in her court papers. “The trustee attempts to justify such amendment by arguing that her GAL petition requested such relief. Such argument is of no consequence to the issuance of a nunc pro tunc order.”
A nunc pro tunc order describes a court’s action to retroactively correct an earlier ruling, document or record so that an event that should have happened on a specific date in the past is treated as if it were done properly at that time.”
According to Emily Lynch’s attorney, the court reviewed the GAL petition and the argument of the parties and issued its “unambiguous order limiting the appointment of the GAL. Accordingly, this type of substantive challenge to the (clerk’s) minute order cannot be brought under the guise of a nunc pro tunc application.”
But according to Sutherland’s sworn declaration, amending the order nunc pro tunc is appropriate to correct an inadvertent limitation and to ensure the order fully reflects the scope of authority needed to protect Lula.
“This amendment will provide the GAL with the necessary standing and authority to investigate, appear and advocate on behalf of Lula in all proceedings and administrative matters relating to the subtrust, serve the minor’s best interests and promote judicial economy by avoiding piecemeal appointments,” according to Sutherland.
Lynch was married four times. His other children were Jennifer, 57, Austin, 43, and Riley, 34. The four offspring are slated to receive tuition and medical expenses as trust beneficiaries. They will also be provided gifts for tuition and medical expenses through the trust.