After His Death, Thomas Kinkade’s Estate Already in Court

Not very long after his death, Thomas Kinkade’s estate representative didn’t waste any time in going to court to file for a restraining order against the late artist’s girlfriend. Representatives of the Kinkade estate filed a restraining order alleging that Mr. Kinkade’s girlfriend, Ms. Amy Pinto-Walsh had violated the terms of a confidentiality agreement and made threats to reveal intimate details about the painter’s business and personal life.

Mr. Kinkade died in early April after apparently suffering a relapse in his long struggle against alcoholism. Mr. Kinkade was legally married at the time, though he had been separated from his wife and was living with his girlfriend, Ms. Pinto-Walsh. Ms. Pinto-Walsh was also Mr. Kinkade’s personal assistant, and had signed a confidentiality agreement as part of that position.

The Kinkade estate is represented by Windmere Holdings, a company Mr. Kinkade started. The company also acts as the trustee of the Kinkaid Family Trust. Nanette Kinkade, Mr. Kinkade’s widow, was also a party in the restraining order request that the judge granted.

Though the restraining order has been issued, it has apparently not been served on Ms. Pinto-Walsh. Representatives of the parties say that they have come to a private agreement about the dispute. It is unknown whether the restraining order will have any impact on the probate case over Mr. Kinkade’s estate, or whether further conflicts will arise.