Title: Aretha Franklin’s Handwritten Will from Couch Upheld as Valid, Resolving Family Dispute
Subtitle: Michigan jury rules in favor of Kecalf and Edward Franklin, rejecting 2010 will in favor of 2014 document
When Aretha Franklin, the legendary Queen of Soul, passed away in 2018, she left no formal typed will to determine the fate of her multimillion-dollar estate. This absence of legal documentation sparked a years-long battle over her fortune, marked by controversy, lawsuits, and feuds among family members. Finally, on Tuesday, a Michigan jury rendered a verdict declaring a handwritten document found on Franklin’s couch as a valid will.
The victory was met with elation by Kecalf Franklin and Edward Franklin, two of Aretha Franklin’s sons, who had fought for the recognition of the 2014 documents over a previously discovered 2010 will. The 2010 will had favored their brother, Ted White II. The jury’s decision came swiftly after less than an hour of deliberation following a brief trial that commenced on Monday. Upon hearing the verdict, Aretha Franklin’s grandchildren rallied to hug Kecalf and Edward.
Expressing his joy, Kecalf Franklin said, “I am very, very happy. I just wanted my mother’s wishes to be carried out. We just want to exhale right now. It’s been a long five years for my family, my children.”
Although the late singer did not leave a formal typed will upon her death, documents with scribbles and indecipherable passages surfaced in 2018. They were found by a niece who was searching the house for files. As Franklin had succumbed to pancreatic cancer, it had been widely believed that she had not made any provisions for her estimated $6 million estate, comprising real estate, cash, gold records, furs, and continuing music royalties that significantly supplemented her wealth.
During closing arguments, the attorneys representing two of Franklin’s sons, Kecalf and Edward, emphasized that the fact the 2014 documents were discovered in a notebook tucked amid couch cushions did not diminish their importance or legitimacy. Attorney Charles McKelvie explained to the jury, “You can take your will and leave it on the kitchen counter. It remains your will.” Another lawyer, Craig Smith, emphasized the first line of the document, where Franklin wrote, “This is my will,” asserting that she was speaking from beyond the grave.
The dispute over Franklin’s will pitted Kecalf and Edward against their brother Ted White II, who stood to benefit from the 2010 will. Kurt Olson, White’s attorney, maintained that the 2010 will held more significance and was securely locked away. After the verdict, Olson acknowledged, “We were here to see what the jury concluded. We will live with that.”
While Franklin’s estate managers have settled debts, paid bills, and continued generating income from her intellectual property, the will dispute remained unresolved. There were notable discrepancies between the 2010 and 2014 versions, but both indicated that Franklin’s four children would share in the music revenue and royalties.
Under the 2014 will, Kecalf and his children would inherit Franklin’s primary residence in Bloomfield Hills, currently valued at a substantial $1.1 million. However, a provision in the 2010 will required Kecalf, 53, and Edward, 64, to acquire business qualifications to access their portion of the estate. This provision was absent in the 2014 document.
During the trial, White, who played guitar with Aretha Franklin, criticized the 2014 will, claiming her mother would have prepared important documents in a conventional and legal manner, with the assistance of a lawyer. White refrained from immediate comment after the verdict.
One of the trial’s most pointed statements was made by Craig Smith, who represented Edward Franklin. He accused White of attempting to disinherit both of his brothers, claiming that Ted White II aimed to acquire everything. During the trial, Kecalf Franklin sat near White, but they did not exchange words or interact.
It is worth noting that Aretha Franklin had a fourth child, Clarence Franklin, who resides under conservatorship in an assisted living facility and was not involved in the lawsuit.
As the legal battle over Aretha Franklin’s estate comes to a close, the handwritten will discovered on her couch has emerged as the document to honor her wishes and allocate her wealth to her intended beneficiaries. The resolution of this protracted dispute signifies a crucial step toward preserving the legacy of one of the greatest musical icons in history.