A Michigan judge ruled Monday that Aretha Franklin’s handwritten last will and testament, previously found under a sofa cushion, is valid and enforceable.
The ruling put an end to the ongoing dispute between her sons (Edward, Kecalf and Clarence Franklin and Ted White Jr.), who have been debating the distribution of her assets for over four years, according to The New York Times (NYT). The legendary singer died of a rare form of pancreatic cancer in 2018 at the age of 76. Franklin’s family initially believed she died without a will, until the handwritten versions were discovered in May 2019 — one in a cabinet, and one in the sofa.
Aretha Franklin Will Found in Couch After Her Death Is Valid, Jury Rules https://t.co/Ccrnbuw5GG
— TMZ (@TMZ) July 12, 2023
The two handwritten documents were presented in a probate court trial after being discovered by Franklin’s niece, Sabrina Owens. One of the documents had been notarized, but neither of them were officially prepared by a lawyer, the NYT reported. One of the documents was dated March 31, 2014, and the other reflected a 2010 date, according to CNN. The 2010 file contained instructions for three of Franklin’s sons to equally share income from their mother’s music and copyrights, the outlet reported.
Franklin’s fourth son, Clarence, lives under legal guardianship and was not part of the court proceedings, according to the Associated Press (AP).
The 2014 document differed from the 2010 version and was favored by lawyers representing Kecalf and Edward, the outlet reported. The 2014 file removed a provision that existed in the 2010 version which said Kecalf and Edward “must take business classes and get a certificate or a degree” to benefit from the estate, according to AP.
Aretha Franklin’s “Will” found in sofa… pic.twitter.com/hM9AeYKekb
— Truth or Dare😈 (@candyrrose) July 12, 2023
“You can take your will and leave it on the kitchen counter. It’s still your will,” Charles McKelvie told the jury, according to AP. (RELATED: Lisa Marie Presley’s Family Reportedly Battling Over Access To Her Fortune)
Franklin’s sons were reportedly pleased with the results.
“I’m very, very happy. I just wanted my mother’s wishes to be adhered to,” Kecalf said, according to AP. “We just want to exhale right now. It’s been a long five years for my family, my children.”