Kecalf Franklin, son of music superstar Aretha Franklin, arrived at the hearing. Photo: AP
The two sons of Aretha Franklin testified in court when they quarreled over the fact that a document found in a notebook under a sofa cushion was actually the last wish of the Queen of Soul.
It was the latest stage in the protracted family drama that began after Franklin. died of pancreatic cancer in 2018 at age 76 without an official typewritten will. Late Monday, Ted White II, 60, son of Franklin, who played guitar during her performances, told a court in Detroit that a 2010 document found in a locked desk drawer at her home should be recognized as a will.
Mr White told a six-member jury: She had ever signed, there was something that was done conditionally and legally.”
The document was notarized and signed repeatedly by Franklin, and Mr. White said she always used a lawyer for anything official. Ted White II, son of Aretha Franklin, arrives at court. Photo: AP
But Franklin's youngest son, Kecalf Franklin, 53, told the court that the later 2014 document should be recognized as a will under Michigan law.
It was found in a spiral notebook under the pillow on the sofa after her death.
Kecalf Franklin told the probate court that «I don't think it's strange» that his mother's papers are on the couch.
When asked where the singer would read his post, sign the paperwork, and even sleep, Mr. Franklin repeatedly replied: «On the couch.»
He said that the place around the couch would be dirty because of «heaps of papers around.»
Craig Smith, lawyer Edward, another son , said he also supported the 2014 document.
Mr Smith told the court: «Edward believes that this 2014 document represents her most pressing wishes and should therefore be respected.»
The 2014 document was dated and signed «A. Franklin» with a smiley inside the first initial.
So the singer used to sign her name, and the jury showed a similar signature made of concrete in a museum in Detroit.
The jury was presented with four large posters with Pages from a 2014 document.
A spiral notebook found on the couch also contained scribbles.
The 2010 and 2014 documents indicated that Franklin's four sons would share the music and copyright proceeds .
But in the 2014 version, Mr. White's name as executor of the estate was struck out and Cecalf Franklin was named instead.
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It was said that Cecalf Franklin and his three children should receive the main house of the singer, which was valued at $1.1 million at the time of her death.
Aretha Franklin stands backstage wearing an embroidered gold dress and holding her hands holding a Grammy Award, circa 1970.
Franklin's estate was valued at $18 million shortly after her death.
Mr. White's attorney said the 2010 document was signed on all 11 pages, while the 2014 document was signed only once.
p>Both documents were found at the same time by niece Sabrina Owens, who originally managed the estate.
Ms. Owens did not appear in court, but her testimony from the official conversation was read aloud.
She explained how she searched the singer's house for records.
Ms. Owens said: «She would use the kitchen and living room, that's all.
«So when I got to the sofa , I lifted the rightmost cushion, and there were notebooks.”
Probate Court Judge Jennifer Callaghan said the six jurors' only job was to decide whether the 2014 document should be accepted as a valid will.
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Three grandsons of the singer also appeared before the court. They are the children of Kecalf Franklin.
The closing debate was to take place on Tuesday.
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