Christopher “CJ” Wallace Jr., the son of The Notorious B.I.G. and Faith Evans, has filed a petition in Pennsylvania court seeking to invalidate a last-minute amendment to his grandmother Voletta Wallace’s will. The filing, first detailed in court documents obtained by multiple outlets, alleges that the changes made just 15 days before her death improperly removed the grandchildren from key roles and personal bequests while installing longtime associate Wayne Barrow as sole executor and trustee.
Voletta Wallace died of natural causes on Feb. 21, 2025, at age 78 while receiving hospice care at her home in Stroudsburg, Pa. According to the petition, she had executed a will in 2020 that directed the bulk of her personal property—including Biggie’s music awards, her fur collection, jewelry, a Mercedes-Benz SUV and a property in Jamaica—to CJ and his half-sister T’yanna Wallace. The earlier documents also named the grandchildren as successor trustees and co-executors alongside a longtime family friend, and directed her interest in the company managing Biggie’s estate toward her foundation.
On Feb. 6, 2025, Voletta signed a codicil that reversed those provisions. The amendment eliminated the grandchildren as beneficiaries of the personal assets and removed them from the trustee and executor roles, naming Barrow— the late rapper’s former co-manager and vice chairman of the Christopher Wallace Memorial Foundation—as the sole figure in charge. CJ’s filing contends that his grandmother’s health had declined sharply by that point, that she was taking multiple medications and was frequently confined to bed, and that the signatures on the document appear “facially inconsistent” with her known handwriting, warranting expert review. He is asking the court to declare the amendment invalid and to remove Barrow immediately.
The challenge comes against the backdrop of a major catalog transaction. After Biggie’s 1997 murder, Voletta spent years securing and expanding control of her son’s intellectual property. She and Evans later formed Notorious B.I.G. LLC. In March 2025, shortly after Voletta’s death, the company closed a partnership with Primary Wave that has been valued at approximately $200 million. A Delaware Chancery Court recently ruled that Barrow, as trustee of Voletta’s trust, is entitled to her 25 percent share of distributions from that deal, with the proceeds directed to the Christopher Wallace Memorial Foundation.
Barrow has been involved with the Wallace family for decades, first as co-manager of Biggie and later in estate and foundation matters. His side has pointed to the long-standing relationship and Voletta’s stated wishes for continued stewardship of the legacy. Evans, who co-managed the LLC with Voletta, has been party to the parallel Delaware litigation.
CJ’s Pennsylvania petition remains pending. The outcome could affect who directs Voletta’s portion of ongoing catalog revenue and related decisions concerning one of hip-hop’s most valuable catalogs.
