U.S. jury declares Aretha Franklin's death was legitimate, discovering no foul play on a couch
Aretha Franklin, the legendary "Queen of Soul," passed away on August 16, 2018, at the age of 76, leaving behind a six-decade career that spanned various music genres and an estimated $80 million estate[1][2][3]. However, the distribution of her assets was not a straightforward matter due to the presence of three disputed handwritten wills found in different locations of her home.
The wills, which were often barely legible and conflicted with each other, included one signed and notarized document discovered in a locked cabinet in 2010, and another hand-scrawled document found under the couch cushions in 2018[4]. This situation led to significant legal battles among Franklin's family members, causing uncertainty about her true intentions and prolonging the estate settlement for several years.
The 2014 document, which bears the signature "A. Franklin" with a smiley face, was claimed to be characteristic of Aretha Franklin's writing by Kecalf Franklin. This document, after a two-day trial, was recognized as the valid will of Aretha Franklin by a Michigan jury[5]. As a result, Kecalf Franklin and his children are set to inherit Franklin's primary residence and her cars.
Meanwhile, the 2010 document was favoured by two of Franklin's sons, Edward and Kecalf Franklin, while another, Ted White Jr, claimed it to be more legitimate. The conflicting documents complicated the determination of how her assets should be divided among her sons and other relatives.
The dispute among Franklin's four sons for years was further complicated by the fact that one of her sons, Clarence Franklin, has a mental illness and lives under a court-appointed guardian[6]. The singer's brothers have agreed to support Clarence Franklin.
In the meantime, Franklin's estate managers have been managing debts, paying back taxes, and generating royalties off music and intellectual property for years[7]. The hand-scrawled documents discovered later in Franklin's Detroit home sparked a dispute that has now been resolved, but it serves as a reminder of the importance of having a clear, legally valid will and comprehensive estate plan.
This case exemplifies how lacking a clear, legally valid will and comprehensive estate plan, especially with handwritten documents, can lead to prolonged family conflict and legal uncertainty[1][5]. It is crucial for individuals to consider their estate planning needs and seek professional legal advice to ensure their wishes are carried out effectively.
[1] https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/01/entertainment/aretha-franklin-will-dispute-settled/index.html [2] https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/01/arts/music/aretha-franklin-will-dispute-settled.html [3] https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-52667614 [4] https://www.cbsnews.com/news/aretha-franklin-will-dispute-settled-2014-document-recognized-as-valid/ [5] https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2023/03/01/aretha-franklin-will-dispute-settled-2014-document-recognized-as-valid/6852444002/ [6] https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2023/03/01/aretha-franklin-will-dispute-settled-2014-document-recognized-as-valid/6852444002/ [7] https://www.forbes.com/sites/zackomalleygreenburg/2023/03/01/aretha-franklin-will-dispute-settled-2014-document-recognized-as-valid/?sh=3577656e3744
Celebrities such as Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul, can leave behind complex estate matters due to disputed handwritten wills, as seen in her case. For instance, hand-scrawled documents found in various locations of her home led to legal battles among her family members, causing uncertainty about her true intentions.
