Aretha Franklin's sons clash over her disputed wills

(10 Jul 2023)
FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: 4443772
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Pontiac, Michigan - 10 July 2023
1. Edward Franklin, Aretha Franklin's son, and his lawyer walk into court
HEADLINE: Aretha Franklin’s sons clash during trial over wills
ASSOCIATED PRESS
ARCHIVE: Beverly Hills, California - 5 February 2008
2. STILL of Aretha Franklin posing for a photo
ASSOCIATED PRESS
ARCHIVE: New York - 1 October 2014
3. Aretha Franklin and Clive Davis at an event to promote her covers album "Aretha Franklin Sings the Great Diva Classics"
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Pontiac, Michigan - 10 July 2023
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Ed White, Associated Press:
++PARTIALLY COVERED++
"Aretha Franklin, a world-renowned music superstar, died five years ago, but her estate is still unsettled. There were two handwritten documents found after her death that give some conflicting wishes about her estate, her property possessions. And her three sons are involved in a trial here in Oakland County, Michigan, Probate Court to decide whether one of the wills dated 2014 is valid."
5. Various of Edward Franklin outside court
6. The courtroom door with the judge's name on it
7. SOUNDBITE (English) Ed White, Associated Press:
++PARTIALLY COVERED++
"One son, Kecalf Franklin, is in favor of the 2014 document. Ted White, another son, says the 2010 document should control Aretha Franklin's estate."
8. Kecalf Franklin (center), Aretha Franklin's son, enters the courtroom
9. Ted White II, Aretha Franklin's son, walks into the courtroom
10. SOUNDBITE (English) Craig Smith, Edward Franklin's lawyer:
++PARTIALLY COVERED++
"We may wrap it up tomorrow as far as the jury. So, we're hoping for a verdict by 5 o'clock. Could be earlier. You never know how long a jury is going to go out. It could be 10 minutes. Could be 10 hours. But I suspect 2 hours."
ASSOCIATED PRESS
ARCHIVE: New York - 22 March 2014
11. Aretha Franklin arrives at a party for her birthday
STORYLINE:
Two sons of the late singer Aretha Franklin gave different opinions Monday about the Queen of Soul's final wishes, testifying in an unusual trial that will determine whether a 2014 handwritten document found in couch cushions will guide her estate.
Franklin died in 2018 at age 76 without a formal, typewritten will. Five years later, her legacy still is tied up in a suburban Detroit court after a niece found different sets of handwritten papers at her home.
The issue for a jury: Does a 2014 document count as a will under Michigan law? If so, it could trump a 2010 handwritten will that was found in a locked cabinet at the same time. The older version, however, was notarized and repeatedly signed by Franklin.
Ted White II, a son who played guitar during his mother's performances, favors the 2010 document.
The 2014 version crossed out White’s name as executor of the estate and named another son, Kecalf (KELF') Franklin, in his place. Kecalf Franklin and grandchildren would get his mother’s main home in Bloomfield Hills, which was valued at $1.1 million when she died but is worth much more today.
The jury will hear closing arguments Tuesday.
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[@chakahawkins2772]

Why, why why, couldn't be handle behind close doors, everyone has different lawyers, and none of there lawyers are free!! What money really does and so much of it is going to be thrown away for attorney fees🤔