Legal Battle Over Aretha Franklin’s Handwritten Wills Resolved by Jury
The late soul singer Aretha Franklin’s estate has been at the center of a legal battle between her sons after two handwritten notes were found, each naming a different son as the beneficiary. The notes, dated four years apart, were discovered by Franklin’s niece in 2019, leading to a dispute over who should inherit the singer’s estate.
The first note, dated 2010, named Ted White II as the executor of Franklin’s estate. However, a second note, dated 2014, was found under a cushion on the sofa, with Ted White II’s name crossed out and Kecalf Franklin named as the new executor. The notes also outlined how Franklin’s main home, valued at $1.1 million, would be inherited by Kecalf and his grandchildren.
After a jury in Michigan deliberated for less than an hour, they ruled in favor of Kecalf and his brother Edward, upholding the 2014 note as Franklin’s legal last will and testament. Kecalf expressed his happiness at the decision, stating that he just wanted his mother’s wishes to be followed.
The legal battle over Franklin’s estate has been ongoing, with the managers of her estate working to settle tax debts and generate money from music royalties. The notes also included provisions for Kecalf and Edward to take business classes before benefiting from the estate, a requirement that was removed in the 2014 note.
Despite the legal dispute, Kecalf emphasized that there was no rift between him and his brother, Ted White II. The case highlights the importance of having a formal will in place to avoid family disputes and ensure that one’s wishes are carried out after their passing.