USA: dispute between Aretha Franklin’s children resolved before two wills

A document handwritten by singer Aretha Franklin and found on her couch after her death in 2018 is a valid will in Michigan, a jury concluded Tuesday, in a critical turn in a dispute that has pitted the singer’s children. .

It’s a win for Kecalf Franklin and Edward Franklinwhose lawyers had argued that documents dated 2014 should overturn a 2010 will that was discovered around the same time in a locked cabinet at the Queen of Soul’s suburban Detroit home.

The jury deliberated less than an hour after a brief trial that began Monday. After the verdict was read, Aretha Franklin’s grandchildren stepped forward from the front row to hug Kecalf and Edward.

“I am very very happy. I just wanted my mother’s wishes to come true.” said Kecalf Franklin. “We just want to exhale right now. It has been a long five years for my family, my children”.

Aretha Franklin, who for decades was a global star known for hits like “Think,” “I Say a Little Prayer” and “Respect,” left no formal typed will when she died half a decade ago, at age 76.

But documents, with scribbles and difficult-to-decipher passages, suddenly surfaced in 2019 when a niece toured the house looking for files.

In closing arguments, lawyers for two of Franklin’s sons said the fact that the 2014 documents were found in a notebook hidden among the cushions of a sofa did not make them any less significant.

“You can take your will and leave it on the kitchen counter. It’s still your will“, said charles mckelvie to the jury.

Another lawyer, Craig Smith, pointed to the first line of the document, which was shown enlarged on four large posters in front of the jury.

“It says right here: ‘This is my will.’ She’s speaking from the grave”Smith said of Franklin.

Kecalf and Edward teamed up against his brother Ted White II, who favored the 2010 will. White’s attorney, Kurt Olson, noted that the 2010 will was under lock and key. He said it was much more significant than the papers found on the couch.

“We were here to see what the jury concluded. we’ll live with itOlson said after the verdict.

The jury came to the decision that the 2014 version was signed by Aretha Franklinwho put a smiley face on the letter “A”.

Olson said there could still be discussions with the judge about whether to honor some provisions of the 2010 will.

Franklin’s estate managers have paid bills, settled millions in tax debts and generated income through music royalties and other intellectual property. The will dispute, however, was unfinished business.

There are differences between the 2010 and 2014 versions, although both seem to indicate that Franklin’s four children would share the revenue from music and royalties.

But according to the 2014 will, Kecalf Franklin and her grandchildren would get their mother’s main house in Bloomfield Hills, which was valued at $1.1 million when she died and is worth much more today.

The oldest testament stated that Kecalf53, and Edward Franklin, 64, “must take business classes and earn a certificate or degree” to benefit from the heritage. That provision is not in the 2014 version.

White, who played guitar with Aretha Franklintestified against the 2014 will and said that her mother would usually have important documents done “conventionally and legally” and with the help of a lawyer. She did not comment immediately after the verdict.

The most pointed comments at the trial came from Smith, who represented Edward Franklin. He told the jury that White “he wants to disinherit his two brothers. Teddy wants it all”.

Kecalf Franklin sat near White during the trial, but they did not seem to speak to each other.

“I love my brother with all my heart“, said Kecalf outside of court when asked if there was a break.

Aretha Franklin had a fourth child, clarence franklinwho lives under conservatorship in an assisted living facility and was not involved in the trial.

Source: AP