Aretha Franklin’s Handwritten Wills: A Jury Determines Validity and Disputes Arise

The late Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, left behind two handwritten wills that sparked a legal battle between her sons over her estate. The iconic singer, who passed away at the age of 76 from pancreatic cancer in 2018, did not have a formal, typewritten will outlining her wishes for her property and assets.

The two handwritten wills, one dated in 2010 and another in 2014, were discovered in Franklin’s Detroit home months after her death. The legal dispute over the estate arose between her sons, who disagreed over which will should govern their mother’s estate. One son, Ted White II, believed the 2010 will should control the estate, while two other sons, Kecalf Franklin and Edward Franklin, favored the 2014 document.

The differences between the two wills included the distribution of Franklin’s main home in Bloomfield Hills, valued at $1.1 million, as well as the sharing of income from music and copyrights. The sons were at odds over the provisions outlined in each will, leading to a courtroom battle to determine which will was valid.

In the end, a jury was tasked with determining which of the handwritten wills would be upheld as the valid document to govern Franklin’s estate. The case highlighted the importance of having a clear and legally binding will in place to avoid disputes and ensure one’s wishes are carried out after death.

The legal battle over Aretha Franklin’s estate serves as a reminder of the importance of proper estate planning and the potential consequences of not having a formal will in place. In the end, the jury’s decision will determine how the Queen of Soul’s legacy and assets will be distributed among her heirs.