According to the court papers, the family rift traces back to 2019 after an Instagram post by Brian Jr. and deepened after Julie released a memoir portraying McKnight unfavorably. The singer — a 56-year-old Grammy-nominated artist who was married to Julie from 1989 to 2003 — says he seeks unspecified damages. He is also father to other children, including a young son with his current wife. Niko died of cancer in May 2025 at age 32; the suit centers on statements made after that loss.