A Michigan judge ruled Monday that Aretha Franklin’s handwritten suicide note, previously found under a sofa cushion, is valid and enforceable.
The ruling put an end to an ongoing dispute between her sons (Edward, Kecalf, Clarence Franklin and Ted White Jr.) who have been arguing over the distribution of her assets for more than four years. according to New York Times (NYT). The legendary singer died of rare pancreatic cancer in 2018 at the age of 76. Franklin’s family initially believed she died without her will, until her handwritten will was discovered in May 2019 — one in a cabinet and another. was on the sofa.
Jury rules Aretha Franklin found on couch after death https://t.co/Ccrnbuw5GG
—TMZ (@TMZ) July 12, 2023
The two handwritten documents were presented in probate court after they were found by Franklin’s niece Sabrina Owens. One of the documents was notarized, but neither was formally drafted by a lawyer, the NYT reported. One of the documents was dated March 31, 2014 and the other reflected her 2010 date. according to CNN. The 2010 file contained instructions for Franklin’s three sons to share equally the income from their mother’s music and copyrights, the newspaper said.
Franklin’s fourth son, Clarence, lives under legal guardianship and does not participate in court proceedings. according to Associated Press (AP Communications).
The 2014 document was different from the 2010 version and was backed by lawyers representing Kecalf and Edward, the newspaper said. According to the Associated Press, the 2014 file shows a clause that existed in the 2010 version that Kecalf and Edward “must take business classes and have a certificate or degree” to benefit from the estate. is said to have been deleted.
Aretha Franklin’s suicide note found on sofa pic.twitter.com/hM9AeYKekb
— Truth or Dare 😈 (@candyrrose) July 12, 2023
“You can take your will and leave it on your kitchen counter. Charles McKelvey told jurors it was still your will,” the Associated Press reported. (Related: Lisa Marie Presley’s family reportedly fighting over access to her property)
Franklin’s sons were reportedly happy with the results.
“I’m very, very happy. I just wanted my mother’s wishes to be honored,” Kecalf said, according to the Associated Press. “I just want to breathe now. It’s been a long five years for my family and my children.”
