Mystery surrounds the legacy of Cubs ' legend Ernie Banks who apparently only left $ 16,000 worth of assets when he died in January aged 83 . The news emerged as the star player 's estranged fourth wife Elizabeth Banks and glamorous caretaker Regina Rice pursue a bitter court battle to seize the estate . Rice has been accused of coercing the baseball great into signing a will that left everything to her , without his family 's knowledge . Meanwhile , the Chicago Cubs has agreed to settle the allegedly unpaid bill - totalling $ 35,000 - for Banks ' burial service after a funeral home sued the family for all costs plus legal fees . Missing millions ? Ernie Banks , one of the greats of baseball , reportedly only left $ 16,000 when he died at 83 . Bitter battle : His widow Elizabeth Banks ( left ) and his caregiver Regina Rice ( right ) are fighting for the estate . And Rice maintains that Banks had wanted to be cremated , with his ashes scattered over Wrigley Field . Lawyers for Banks ' widow , Elizabeth , have called for a review of the player 's accounts including vehicles and baseball memorabilia after Rice 's lawyers estimated him to be worth $ 16,000 . Last month , Cook County Court heard Banks was never paid more than $ 75,000 a year throughout his lengthy and high-flying career . However , Rice 's attorney Linda Chatman said the estimate was just preliminary , and she noted that the true value of the estate was in the rights to his name and likeness . That means that the estate could be worth far more , given Ernie Banks ' place in the history of Major League Baseball and in Chicago , where he was a beloved sports figure for his 19 years on the field and decades after . Rice has been barred from selling anything that belonged to Banks as his widow and two sons contest the latest will . Heightening tensions , a law suit filed this week by Donnellan Family Funeral Services claims the Banks family did not pay $ 11,000 for the cost of the casket , $ 6,755 for flowers , more than $ 3,000 in car services and $ 2,700 in staff fees . ' I find it quite interesting that she did not tell anyone that she had an attorney write up a new will , ' one of Banks ' twin sons , Jerry Banks , said . A court heard Banks was never paid more than $ 75,000 a year for his lengthy and stellar career with the Cubs . Rice responded in a statement that Banks trusted her to carry out his wishes , some of which were during his lifetime and others after his life , and made her promise to adhere to them . Joey Banks said the family thought Rice was helping and watching over 'Mr Cub ' while he was in Chicago . Family attorney Mark Bogen said that only after the funeral did the Banks family became aware he had signed a new will during his illness . A provision of the will , signed and dated on October 17 , said : ' I am making no provisions under this will for wife or my children , not for a lack of love and affection for them and for reasons best known to them . ' Bogen said the family will vigorously fight the will . 'It is understandable that Ernie 's family is concerned at this very sad time , ' Rice said in her statement . 'However , the record , and those closest to Ernie , will dispel any iota of concern regarding my relationship with Ernie and his trust in me to carry out his wishes . ' Contention : Banks ' twin sons , Joey and Jerry Banks , pictured at their father 's memorial service , are also contending the will that leaves the estate to Rice . They accuse Rice of coercing Banks to sign the document . Rice went on to say she will not participate in any verbal jousting with Banks ' family or do anything to tarnish his legacy . Before Banks ' death , family members frequently spoke to Rice because she made it difficult for them to speak directly to him , Jerry Banks said . 'At the funeral of my father , I went out of my way to praise Ms Rice and her son for helping my father , ' Joey Banks said . 'What I did not know at that time is that for at least six months prior to my father 's death , in my opinion , she was using him , manipulating him and controlled him . ' The brothers ' comments were their first in a dispute that first centered on what should be done with Ernie Banks ' remains . Estranged wife Elizabeth Banks went to court to prevent Rice from having Banks ' remains cremated . Rice wanted Banks ' remains to be cremated after his death last month at the age of 83 , according to documents filed by Elizabeth Banks ' attorneys on February 2 . He was buried later last month at Graceland Cemetery .
Chicago Cubs great never earned more than $ 75,000 a year , court heard . His glamorous nurse Regina Rice claims he left all $ 16,000 to her in will . Estranged millions wife Elizabeth Banks contends the latest will and called for review into worth of his assets including image and vehicles . Meanwhile , funeral home claims family did n't pay for $ 35,000 service . The Cubs ' owners have agreed to settle the payment .