A.B. Quintanilla Sues Sister Suzette Amid Reported $48 Million Selena Estate Dispute

A.B. Quintanilla III has confirmed legal action against his sister, Suzette Quintanilla-Arriaga, amid reports that the family dispute could involve as much as $48 million and interests tied to Selena’s estate and legacy.

The musician and producer said the lawsuit also concerns facts and circumstances related to their late father, Abraham Quintanilla Jr., but has not publicly identified the claims, the amount sought, or the assets at issue.

“Yes, there is a lawsuit related to Suzette Arriaga, as well as to facts and circumstances related to my father, Abraham Quintanilla,” A.B. said in a statement posted to Instagram.

He did not identify the claims being pursued, the amount sought, or the court handling the case. A.B. said he would not give interviews or discuss details while the litigation remains active.

The confirmation followed claims by entertainment journalist Javier Ceriani that the dispute could involve as much as $48 million, including questions about financial payments and A.B.’s contributions as a songwriter and producer for Selena.

Ceriani has also raised claims concerning Selena-related assets and a possible sale of an interest in the late singer’s estate.

A.B. has not confirmed the $48 million figure or publicly described the lawsuit as a dispute over Selena’s estate, royalties or Q Productions.

The distinction is significant because the Quintanilla family’s business interests surrounding Selena have been governed by agreements involving several different rights.

One of those agreements surfaced in earlier litigation involving Selena’s widower, Chris Pérez.

A 2018 Texas appeals court ruling described an Estate Properties Agreement signed shortly after Selena’s death in 1995 by Pérez, A.B., Suzette, their mother Marcella Quintanilla, and Abraham Quintanilla Jr.

According to the court, the agreement purported to give Abraham ownership of certain entertainment properties associated with Selena, including proprietary rights in her name, voice, signature, photograph, and likeness.

The agreement later became part of Abraham’s lawsuit against Pérez over plans for a television project based on Pérez’s book, “To Selena, With Love.” That dispute was eventually resolved in 2021.

The earlier litigation does not establish what A.B.’s new lawsuit is about. It does show, however, that control of some Selena-related entertainment rights has previously depended on agreements involving multiple members of the Quintanilla family.

A.B. may also hold separate rights stemming from his own work.

As bassist, songwriter and producer for Selena y Los Dinos, he helped create some of Selena’s biggest recordings, including “Como La Flor” and “Amor Prohibido.” Songwriting and other music rights can be separate from rights governing a performer’s name, image or likeness.

The new litigation comes months after Abraham Quintanilla Jr. died in December 2025.

Abraham managed Selena y Los Dinos and remained closely involved in the businesses surrounding Selena’s music and image for three decades after her death. He also founded Q Productions, the Corpus Christi company closely associated with Selena-related projects.

Suzette, who played drums in Selena y Los Dinos, has remained involved in preserving and promoting her sister’s legacy through Q Productions and the Selena Museum in Corpus Christi.

She had not publicly responded to A.B.’s statement as of Tuesday.

A.B. said his decision to pursue legal action followed years of circumstances he had chosen not to discuss out of respect and loyalty to his family. He also said information and evidence had emerged through the process, although he did not specify what those materials show.

The producer said he intends to eventually give his account of the dispute but will allow the lawsuit to proceed before discussing it publicly.

“When the right time comes, I will speak,” A.B. said.