Aretha Franklin‘s sons are heading to court in a battle over the late singer’s estate.
The Queen of Soul passed away in 2018 and left behind two handwritten wills. According to the Associated Press, both wills were found in her Detroit home in 2019. One was found in a spiral notebook between the cushions of a couch. The other was later discovered in a cabinet.
No matter the bizarre conditions, Michigan law states even documents “with scribbles, scratch-outs and hard-to-read passages” can be honored as commands.
The conflict began shortly after Franklin’s death and pitted two of her sons against one.
Ted White II, who is 59, believes documents dated 2010 should mainly control the estate. Edward Franklin, 66, and youngest son, Kecalf Franklin, 53, favor a 2014 document left behind by their legendary mother.
In the first version of the will, the outlet states that White and the singer’s niece, Sabrina Owens, are listed as co-executors of the “Respect” singers, estate. The document provided restrictions around Keclaf and Edward’s estate benefits, stating the two “must take business classes and get a certificate or a degree.”
The 2014 version has Kecalf replacing his brother as the executor; there is no mention of business classes.
Kecalf Franklin and his children would get his mother’s main home in Bloomfield Hills. The house was valued at $1.1 million when she died but is worth much more today.
Craig Smith, attorney for Edward Franklin, stated the home is “the crown jewel” in the estate.
The remaining guidelines of the 2014 version indicate that Franklin wanted her gowns auctioned or go to the Smithsonian Institution in Washington.
While the documents have some significant differences, they share similar details regarding the singer’s estate and last wishes.
Each son will “share income from music and copyrights.”
Both documents also state that Franklin’s oldest son, Clarence, who lives under guardianship, must be regularly supported.
Charles McKelvie, a lawyer for Kecalf, filed in favor of the 2014 document stating that “two inconsistent wills cannot both be admitted to probate. In such cases, the most recent will revokes the previous will.”
However, White’s attorney, Kurt Olson, said the 2010 will was notarized and signed. Adding the 2014 version should be dismissed as “merely a draft.”
The Associated Press reports that the last known value of the estate was $4.1 million, mostly cash and real estate. It added that Franklin’s creative works and intellectual property were severely undervalued at just a “nominal $1 figure.” The largest benefactor of the estate has been the IRS, which has received at least $8.1 million in taxes from the estate since 2020.
Franklin’s other left-behind possessions, including furs, gowns, jewelry, property and royalties, are valued at millions. The trial is set to begin on July 10.
