Jury Makes Decision Regarding Handwritten Wills Left by Aretha Franklin

Jury Makes Decision Regarding Handwritten Wills Left by Aretha Franklin

In a dispute that pitted one of Aretha Franklin’s sons against three others regarding two handwritten wills that she left behind upon her death, a jury has made a decision.

According to The Associated Press, a jury has found that the last handwritten will penned by the Queen of Soul will be the one that is followed as far as what Franklin wrote in it. That particular will, which was written in 2014 and found inside a notebook under cushions at her home, is the document the family will abide by. Another will that was dated 2010 was discovered in a cabinet. That one was notarized and sealed.

“I’m very, very happy. I just wanted my mother’s wishes to be adhered to,” Kecalf said. “We just want to exhale right now. It’s been a long five years for my family, my children.”

It took the jury less than an hour to come to its decision.

The attorneys for Kecalf and Edward argued that since Franklin wrote the will in 2014 and even though it wasn’t notarized, it was valid as it was the most current one.

“You can take your will and leave it on the kitchen counter. It’s still your will,” attorney Charles McKelvie told the jury.

Franklin’s son, Ted White II, who would have been the executor of the will wanted the 2010 will to stand. White’s attorney, Kurt Olson expressed to the jury that the earlier will had more validity because it was notarized and locked within a cabinet. He also stated that if the other will was that important, it would not have been left in a couch.

“We were here to see what the jury would rule. We’ll live with it,” Olson said after the verdict.

Franklin had four sons. Clarence Franklin, who was not involved in the dispute lives under guardianship in an assisted living center.

Jury Makes Decision Regarding Handwritten Wills Left by Aretha Franklin