When we lost our beloved Aretha Franklin in 2018, it was initially reported that she had no will in place. But lo and behold, by the time 2019 rolled around…not just one, but TWO wills surfaced, and Aretha’s sons had been beefin’ over the wills ever since. One will was dated in 2010 and the other was dated in 2014. There were several differences between the two wills, particularly pertaining to which of Aretha’s sons would control her estate. Thankfully, for them the suspense is finally over, with one of the ‘Queen’s’ sons losing in a major way.
The jury in the Aretha Franklin estate case has now determined that a handwritten will from 2014 should be considered the official document. This will was discovered by Aretha’s niece under a sofa cushion inside Aretha’s home, after she’d passed away. The jury deliberated for nearly an hour before reaching their decision.
The dispute over the two separate wills has been crazy heated between the Queen Of Soul’s sons. Two of her sons – Kecalf Franklin and Edward Franklin – argued in favor of the 2014 will; while her other son – Ted White II – was claiming the 2010 will was the official one. For the record…although Aretha has four sons total, her fourth son, Clarence Franklin, has special needs and is under legal guardianship, so he was not involved in the case.
Now, here’s what the arguments over the wills were all about. The 2014 version of Aretha’s will, sons, Kecalf and Edward Franklin, are listed as the executors of her estate (which is said to range anywhere between $6 million to $80 million), and it seems to have their brother, Ted White II’s, name crossed out in the handwritten doc. However, in the 2010 draft of Aretha’s will Ted was listed as the executor of her estate. The 2010 version also seemingly required Kecalf and Edward to take business classes so they could earn a degree of some sort in the field; but the 2014 version doesn’t list that detail at all.
Kecalf Franklin testified that he believed the signature on the 2014 will was valid, pointing out that it included a smiley face, which was characteristic of their mom’s signature. Additionally, Edward Franklin’s attorney, Craig Smith, emphasized the significance of the opening lines of the 2014 will…stating that it clearly indicated Franklin’s intent. Smith even made a lighthearted comment about the popularity of Franklin’s music, suggesting that they might still be playing her hit song. “Respect,” in 300 years. “Now, we may all be dead from global warming, but if we’re around, my belief is they’ll be playing ‘Respect’ 300 years from now,” said Smith during the court trial.
On the flip side of the argument, Ted White II’s attorney, Kurt Olson, argued that the 2010 will should be considered Franklin’s true ‘intention’ because it was found in a cabinet where she kept “important documents.” In the 2010 draft of Aretha’s will, Ted was listed as the executor of her estate.
Ultimately, the jury sided with the 2014 will.
After Aretha Franklin passed away in 2018 from pancreatic cancer, it was heartbreaking to see her sons having to duke it out in court. The possible upside to this for their family is that the legal battle is now over, and hopefully all four siblings will eventually move toward a brotherly bond again. Wishing them the best going forward.
