Aretha Franklin: The will found in her sofa is valid, what this means for her children

Almost five years ago, soul legend Aretha Franklin passed away at the age of 76, and now her estate has also been settled in court. After years of struggle by her children, a Michigan court has now declared the note discovered in a couch by one of her nieces after her death to be the last and therefore valid will.

Because of these two wills, her sons went to court

Aretha Franklin's last will and testament was not notarized, so after her death there was uncertainty about how the estate would be divided among her four sons, Kecalf, Edward, Ted and Clarence.

In 2019, a niece of the US singer found a will dated 2010 in a locked closet and one dated 2014 under a sofa cushion. The brothers' dispute flared up because both wills treated the sons differently.

Read more:Anne Heche: What's happening with the actor's children since her tragic death?

What does Aretha Franklin leave behind?

The soul queen's total fortune is estimated at $80 million. Among them are the rights and royalties for her entire musical works, swanky cars and real estate. The will, which has now been declared valid, gives the music rights, the cars, and the villa to sons Kecalf and Edward, whereas Ted will only receive shares in the royalties. In the older version, the legendary singer still seemed to want to distribute the music rights among all her sons.

Franklin's fourth son, Clarence, did not attend the hearing because he lives with a disability under guardianship in an assisted living home. Both wills promised him financial support for life.

Read more:Tina Turner's last wishes revealed by close source: 'She did not want a big public funeral'

This article has been translated from Oh!MyMag DE.

Sources used:

T-online: Ein Zettel unter dem Sofakissen entscheidet über ihr Erbe

Der Spiegel: Aretha Franklins Sofa-Testament ist rechtskräftig

AP News: Jury decides 2014 document found in Aretha Franklin's couch is a valid will