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More than four years of family conflict over the estate of Aretha Franklin ended Tuesday when a Michigan jury decided what her family could not — which of two hand-scrawled wills represented the famed singer’s true wishes for how to divide her estate. The verdict resolved more than four years of uncertainty that caused a rift in Franklin’s family, and it sets in motion a plan for how income and assets from her estate should be divided. After the singer died, at age 76, her family believed she had no will. Under Michigan law, her assets would have been divided equally among her four sons: Kecalf, Edward and Clarence Franklin, and Ted White Jr. The sons unanimously selected a cousin as the estate’s personal representative, a position similar to that of an executor.

Persons: Aretha Franklin, Franklin, Kecalf, Edward, Clarence Franklin, Ted White Jr Organizations: Michigan Locations: Michigan, Pontiac, Mich

☆ Aretha Franklin estate: Jury determines handritten will stands
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-11 | by ( Virginia Langmaid | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —The jury hearing arguments surrounding the disposition of Aretha Franklin’s estate on Tuesday determined a 2014 version of her will should stand as the document of record. Franklin’s fourth son, Clarence Franklin, has special needs, is under legal guardianship and was not involved in the case. Video Ad Feedback The hits that won Aretha Franklin 18 Grammys 02:24 - Source: CNNKecalf Franklin testified Monday that he believed the signature on the 2014 document is valid, particularly because it contains the smiley face “characteristic” of Franklin’s signature. Referencing the first few lines of the document, attorney Craig Smith, who represented Edward Franklin, said, “She’s speaking from the grave, folks: ‘This is my will.’”Attorney Craig Smith showing an enlarged copy of a 2014 document during closing arguments of a jury trial over Aretha Franklin's estate. Sarahbeth Maney/Detroit Free Press/USA Today NetworkDuring closing arguments, Smith also addressed royalties stemming from the Queen of Soul’s iconic hits.

Persons: Aretha Franklin’s, Kecalf Franklin, Edward Franklin, Ted White II, Clarence Franklin, Aretha Franklin, CNN Kecalf Franklin, Craig Smith, “, ’, Aretha, Sarahbeth, Smith, ”, Kurt Olson, Franklin, ” Franklin Organizations: CNN, Detroit Free Press, USA Locations: Aretha Franklin's

☆ Is Aretha Franklin’s True Will the One Found in the Couch or a Cabinet?
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-09 | by ( Julia Jacobs | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

At issue in the trial is which document best reflects Franklin’s wishes before she died, at age 76, of pancreatic cancer. Two of her sons, Edward and Kecalf Franklin, assert that the document found in a spiral notebook under the couch cushions, which is dated March 2014 and substantially favors Kecalf, should be considered primary. Another son, Ted White Jr., contends that the papers found in the cabinet, dated June 2010, should take precedence. As a result, they will not be taking a side in the trial, said Joseph Buttiglieri, a lawyer for Clarence Franklin’s guardian. The total estate was estimated at about $18 million after she died, Mr. Smith said, though another appraisal suggested the figure might be lower.

Persons: Edward, Kecalf Franklin, Ted White Jr, Clarence Franklin, Joseph Buttiglieri, Clarence Franklin’s, Franklin, Smith Locations: Michigan

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