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A jury has determined that a handwritten document discovered in Aretha Franklin’s couch after her death in 2018 is a valid will. This verdict marks a victory for Franklin’s sons, Kecalf and Edward, who argued that the papers found in the couch, dated 2014, should take precedence over a 2010 will. The 2010 will was found in a locked cabinet, and Franklin’s other son, Ted White II, believes it to be the rightful will.
The main difference between the two documents is the choice of executors: the 2010 will names White and Franklin’s niece, while the 2014 will designates Kecalf and Edward. The trial is now in the closing arguments phase.
Notably, Franklin did not leave behind a formal, typewritten will when she passed away. The 2010 and 2014 wills differ in some aspects but both indicate that Franklin’s four sons would share the income from her music and copyrights. Under the 2014 will, Kecalf and the grandchildren would inherit Franklin’s main home in Bloomfield Hills, which has significantly increased in value. The 2010 will, on the other hand, states that Kecalf and Edward must acquire business education to benefit from the estate, a provision absent in the 2014 version.
Ted, who played guitar with Franklin, testified against the 2014 will, asserting that his mother would typically handle important documents through legal channels with the aid of an attorney. The trial aims to determine which of the two handwritten wills should guide the handling of Franklin’s estate. It commenced on July 3 and has been regarded as an unusual and contentious affair.
When Franklin died without a will, it was initially understood that her four sons would likely share her assets worth millions, including real estate, clothing, jewelry, and future royalties. Her niece, Sabrina Owens, agreed to act as the personal representative or executor. In one of the wills, Franklin instructed her other sons to regularly check in on their brother Clarence, who lives under guardianship.
The 2014 will excluded Clarence as a beneficiary, whereas the 2010 will included provisions for his support. The trial involves conflicting arguments over the validity of the 2014 will, with one side claiming it is a legitimate draft while the other maintains it meets the requirements of a proper will.
The estate has faced challenges and changes since 2019, with three different executors overseeing it at various times. The latest accounting showed the estate’s income and spending, including significant legal fees.
The overall assets were valued at $4.1 million, mainly consisting of cash and real estate, while Franklin’s creative works and intellectual property were undervalued. The estate has also made substantial payments to the IRS to settle tax claims.
Franklin passed away in August 2018 due to advanced pancreatic cancer, leaving behind a grieving family and a lasting musical legacy.
Following Franklin’s passing on August 16, 2018, her family and friends were deeply saddened by the loss of their beloved matriarch and described her as the rock of their family.
They expressed gratitude for the outpouring of love, support, compassion, and prayers they received from close friends, supporters, and fans worldwide. They acknowledged that while they were grieving, they asked for privacy during this difficult time.
