Handwritten Will Found in Aretha Franklin’s Couch Declared Valid

A handwritten will found in Aretha Franklin’s couch after her death has been declared a valid Michigan will, a jury ruled on Tuesday.

The will, which was dated 2014, was contested by two of Franklin’s sons, Edward and Kecalf, who argued that the 2010 will found in a locked cabinet at their mother’s home should be considered the valid one.

The jury sided with Edward and Kecalf, finding that the 2014 will was written by Franklin and that she was of sound mind when she signed it.

The will gives Kecalf and his grandchildren Franklin’s main home in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, while the other three sons will share income from her music and copyrights.

The will dispute has been a source of tension in the Franklin family since the singer’s death in 2018. Franklin’s oldest son, Clarence, who lives with special needs, is not involved in the dispute.

The 2014 will was found by Franklin’s niece, Sabrina Owens when she was going through her aunt’s belongings after her death. Owens was listed as a co-executor of the estate in the 2010 will, but she quit that role in 2020 due to divisions within the family.

The value of Franklin’s estate has been estimated at $6 million, down from $80 million when she died. The estate has been paying bills, settling millions in tax debts, and generating income through music royalties and other intellectual property.

The will dispute is the last major legal issue facing the Franklin estate. The singer’s music and legacy continue to be celebrated around the world.