The saga surrounding Aretha Franklin’s estate has finally reached a resolution, with the late Queen of Soul’s properties officially divided among her sons. A judge ruled the validity of a 2014 handwritten will, discovered between Aretha Franklin’s couch cushions. The siblings had been in disagreement, with Kecalf and Edward favoring the 2014 version, while Ted White II stood by the demands of the 2010 paper. The recent verdict designates specific properties to each son, marking a significant step in settling the contentious matter.
On Monday, November 27, the judge revealed the distribution of Aretha Franklin’s properties among her sons. Kecalf received a Detroit home, considered the “crown jewel” and valued at $1.1 million in 2018. Edward was also granted a home, and Ted was awarded a house previously sold for $300,000, with Ted seeking the sale proceeds. The remaining property will be sold, and the profits will be equally shared among the brothers, including Clarence Franklin, the oldest, who lives under legal guardianship.
The journey to this resolution has been a lengthy one, marked by legal battles and familial disagreements. The dispute originated from the discovery of two handwritten wills after Aretha Franklin’s death in 2018—one from 2010 and the other from 2014. The recent ruling declared the 2014 will as the valid legal document, designating Kecalf and Edward as executors of the $6 million estate, while also omitting the business class requirement mentioned in the 2010 draft.
The family’s legal representatives navigated the complexities of the conflicting wills, emphasizing that “two inconsistent wills cannot both be admitted to probate,” and in such cases, the most recent will takes precedence. The resolution brings clarity to the administration of Aretha Franklin’s estate, marking the end of a prolonged legal battle.
Written by
Derek Chan – Editor
