She died in 2018 and left an estate worth about $18 million. These include e.g. four houses, several cars, fur coats, expensive jewelry and gold records. Initially, it was believed that the artist did not write a formal will, so the inheritance was divided into four equal parts, which were then allocated to the singer’s sons. They then asked their cousin Sabrina Owens to manage the whole thing. And then in Franklin’s house, just months after her death, a will was found – and not one, but two. The problem is that each of them indicates a different person to manage the estate.
Will from the cupboard or from the couch? Aretha Franklin’s sons fight for inheritance
One of the documents was found by the family under the couch cushions. The document was written in a notebook and, according to the date in the margin, Franklin drafted it in March 2014 and chose her son Kecalf as the estate manager. Now he and his brother Edward Franklin are of the opinion that this version is important. Ted White II, on the other hand, believes that the will that was found in a locked cupboard should be considered valid. It is dated June 2010 and according to him, it is Ted who is to take care of his mother’s inheritance. The court battle has been going on for four years, and Monday, July 10, 2023 is the date of the start of a new trial that will finally solve the case.
Representing Edward Franklin, the singer’s second eldest son, lawyer Craig A. Smith said in an interview with “m”: – I think they would all prefer that this issue be resolved a week after Aretha died. But they don’t blame anyone, they just accept that it is what it is.
The verdict of the court may be surprising for everyone, because it is not said that he will choose one of the documents drawn up by Aretha Franklin. He may as well decide that none of them have the proper legal force and decide to divide the estate into equal parts – as provided by state law in the case where there is no will.
The matter is also complicated by the fact that Franklin’s eldest son, Clarence, is incapacitated due to mental illness. A 2014 will would see him inherit much less than his brothers. This was one of the big points in the family dispute – but as reported by the NY Times, his lawyers in recent weeks managed to negotiate a settlement involving the profit from an as yet unknown percentage of his mother’s estate. As a result, they will not be a party to the new lawsuit. However, in both versions of the document, Aretha Franklin made it clear that Clarence was to receive regular financial support, she adds
Aretha Franklin died in August 2018 at the age of 76. In the last years of her life, she was treated for pancreatic cancer, and passed away at her home – surrounded by her closest family. The artist recorded her first album at the age of 14, and signed her first contract with a record label at the age of 19. She became famous when she released songs such as “Operation Heartbreak”, “Won’t Be Long”, “Rock -A-Bye Your Baby With A Dixie Melody” or “Runnin’ Out Of Fools”. However, it was her song “Respect” that won two Grammys. By the end of her career, the singer received 16 more, for a total of 18 Grammy Awards. Franklin has also recorded over 100 singles that hit the Billboard charts.
Source: Gazeta
Bruce is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment . He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
