A CARLSON COMPANIES TIMELINE

1997: Marilyn Carlson Nelson becomes chief operating officer of Carlson Cos. Her son, Curtis Nelson, becomes president and CEO of Carlson Hospitality Worldwide.

1998: Marilyn Carlson Nelson is named president and CEO of Carlson Cos.

1999: Founder Curt Carlson dies at age 84; Marilyn Carlson Nelson becomes board chairwoman.

2001: Curtis Nelson becomes chief operating officer of Carlson's consumer division.

2003: Curtis Nelson becomes chief operating officer of Carlson Cos.

2006: Marilyn Carlson Nelson consolidates executive and operations management teams and offers vice chairman job to Curtis Carlson Nelson. He does not accept it.

2007: Curtis Nelson sues the company and his mother, saying he was denied his rightful position as chief executive and claiming a share of the company.

2009: Curtis Nelson and his wife finalize their divorce in April.

January 2011: Legal and financial troubles surface between Curtis Nelson and Edina-based Crown Bank.

March 2011: A home owned by Curtis Nelson goes into foreclosure and another is up for sale.

May 2011: Curtis Nelson files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.