Sarahbeth Maney/Detroit Free Press/USA Today Network
Aretha Franklin’s family in court on Tuesday.
CNN –
The jury, hearing arguments related to the disposition of Aretha Franklin’s estate on Tuesday, ruled that a 2014 version of her will should serve as the deed.
After nearly an hour of deliberation, the jury found that a handwritten will, discovered under a sofa cushion by Franklin’s niece after the singer’s death, had been signed by the music legend in 2014 and shows her intentions.
At the heart of the litigation were two separate wills.
Two of their sons, Kecalf Franklin and Edward Franklin, wanted the March 31, 2014 document to be designated as their legal will, while another son, Ted White II, argued that a 2010 document should stand.
Franklin’s fourth son, Clarence Franklin, has special needs and is under legal guardianship and was not involved in the case.
Kecalf Franklin testified Monday that he believes the signature on the 2014 document is valid, particularly because it includes the smiley face “characteristic” of Franklin’s signature.
Referring to the first few lines of the document, attorney Craig Smith, representing Edward Franklin, said, “She speaks from the grave, folks: ‘This is my will.'”
Sarahbeth Maney/Detroit Free Press/USA Today Network
Attorney Craig Smith shows an enlarged copy of a 2014 document during closing arguments in a jury trial on the Aretha Franklin estate.
During the closing arguments, Smith also addressed the royalties accruing from the Queen of Soul’s iconic hits.
“Now we may all be dead from global warming, but if we’re still around, I think they’ll be playing ‘Respect’ in 300 years,” he said.
White’s attorney, Kurt Olson, argued that evidence showed the 2010 document “was intended to be Franklin’s will,” since it was found in a closet where Franklin kept her “important documents.”
Franklin died of cancer in 2018.